A WORCESTER man knocked a pregnant 17-year-old unconscious by kicking her in the head.

Dean Taylor's romance with Hannah Bosworth had broken down and she went to his home to retrieve some of her property, Worcester Crown Court heard.

But Taylor, fuelled by alcohol, turned violent, pushing her into a doorway and shaking her until she hit her head on a fireplace.

As she left the house in Chedworth Close, he told her: "I still love you. That's my child you're carrying," prosecutor Robert McMaster told the court.

Taylor, aged 31, pleaded guilty to common assault, but denied that he kicked the victim in the stomach.

Recorder David Tucker remanded him back into custody for three weeks for an assessment to be made of his suitability to attend a domestic violence programme.

He said violence against a woman was of extreme concern to the court.

He was told that Taylor was pleading guilty to another charge of common assault on the same victim before magistrates.

Went to refuge

Miss Bosworth moved to a women's refuge, but on December 16 last year went to collect property, including a pregnancy record card, from Taylor.

He was not at home, but returned at 10.30pm very drunk, said Mr McMaster. Taylor asked the victim to have sex, but she refused.

Taylor then accused her over a missing phone, grabbed her around the throat and slapped and punched her.

During a period of protracted violence, he threatened to kill her and she lost consciousness following head kicks, said Mr McMaster.

Outside, a milkman went to her aid. She was taken to hospital with lumps on the head, grazes and bruises.

Taylor told police he had "acted reasonably" in removing Miss Bosworth from his home.

Gareth Walters, defending, said he recognised that he had a drink problem and was attending an alcohol awareness course while on remand in jail.

When he was released, he planned to live in Tamworth and work for his brother's haulage business.