A concrete man allegedly punched a young pregnant woman in the face during an altercation inside a Queensland police station.
Sunshine Coast man Scott Edwards James-Peck, 31, appeared in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Thursday.
He is charged with two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm after he allegedly attacked Chloe Heath, who was then 15 weeks pregnant, and her partner following a verbal confrontation.
Audio captured from the incident on June 19, 2022 appears to show Ms Heath’s partner shouting “she’s pregnant” and “leave her” and telling her partner to get into the car before Ms Heath also shouted “I’m pregnant”.
The police then intervened and diffused the situation, reports The newspaper of the Costa del Sol.
Tradie Scott Edwards James-Peck appeared at Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Thursday
James-Peck was reportedly known to Ms Heath and her partner before the alleged attack.
Heath said she was three centimeters dilated after the incident and had to take medication to prevent labor.
The mother subsequently had a premature induced labor at 36 weeks. Her son, who recently turned one, was discharged after a week in the ICU.
Chloe Heath was 15 weeks pregnant when she was allegedly hit on the head.
Ms Heath after the alleged attack. She later gave birth prematurely and her son is now one year old.
Defense attorney Rod Morgan told the court Thursday there was a conflict of interest that prevented him from representing James-Peck.
James-Peck then pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Magistrate Rod Madsen set a hearing for April 29 and ordered a brief of evidence to be prepared.
Morgan said his former client may seek private legal representation before the trial.