A CHEF who repeatedly punched his girlfriend in the face when she was eight months pregnant has been jailed.

Scott O’Regan, of Croxford Gardens, Kidlington, admitted causing actual bodily harm to Megan Waite on September 13 this year.

The 30-year-old, who has previous convictions for domestic violence, has now been handed a 22-month prison sentence by a judge in Oxford Crown Court.

Prosecutor Charles Ward-Jackson said O’Regan assaulted his then partner in the evening after she asked him to drive her to see her mother in Blackbird Leys.

The barrister said the defendant became angry after Miss Waite removed her seatbelt, saying it was uncomfortable, and punched her in the mouth.

Mr Ward-Jackson said O’Regan then hit his victim repeatedly with his fist and the back of his hand.

The prosecutor said O’Regan then told Miss Waite to tell people the swelling, bruising and suspected broken nose he had caused were due to a car accident.

The next morning Miss Waite’s injuries looked even worse and, after Regan begged her for forgiveness and left to go and work at the Boat Inn, in Thrupp, she contacted family members who called the police, Mr Ward-Jackson said.

James Reilly, defending, said his client had shown remorse for what he had done and would be able to return to work if he avoided prison.

Recorder John Bate-Williams told O'Regan: “This was a disgusting attack for which you are rightly ashamed. No man should ever assault a woman, much less a vulnerable woman who is pregnant.’’ O’Regan was made subject to a restraining order keeping him away from his victim.

Our top stories