A judge said he was lost for words today after learning that the police cautioned a Bradford man for punching his heavily-pregnant partner in the stomach.

Michal Kesel was not prosecuted for attacking Elena Benakova in a drunken rage in April, 2011, Bradford Crown Court heard.

But Kesel, 42, the father of six children, was jailed for 14 months today for again assaulting Miss Benakova after arriving at her home in drink and clutching a bottle of alcohol.

Kesel, a Slovakian national, of Frank Street, Great Horton, Bradford, pleaded guilty to causing Miss Benakova actual bodily harm in Temple Street, Heaton, Bradford, on December 17, 2012.

Prosecutor John Topham told the court today that the couple came to Bradford from Slovakia in 2007.

By the end of last year, they had separated and Miss Benakova was to tell the police that Kesel, a plasterer, drank heavily and was regularly violent.

On April 26, 2011, Kesel punched her in the stomach when she was seven months’ pregnant and was cautioned by West Yorkshire Police.

On hearing this, Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC said: “Words fail me, Mr Topham.”

In the December attack, Kesel punched Miss Benakova in the face, blacking her eye, and kicked her in the back as she lay on the floor.

Mr Topham said she passed out for a short time in the assault that happened in front of the young child she had been pregnant with in the first attack.

The court heard that Kesel had spent time in prison after breaching the conditions of his bail.

Miss Benakova made a retraction statement after the latest attack and wanted to resume their relationship.

Judge Durham Hall told Kesel: “The caution should have been a warning to you and perhaps there should have been greater protection afforded to your partner but, of course, she loves you and wants you back.”

The judge said the actual bodily harm offence was a sustained attack on a vulnerable victim in her home.

“You are full of anger when in drink,” he told Kesel.