After violently assaulting his girlfriend, an American student living in Limerick forced her to lick beans off the kitchen floor, which had been spilt during the incident, writes Jimmy Woulfe.

Limerick Circuit Court was told that accused, now 20, met the woman when they were students in China.

When she returned to Ireland, he came a short time later to continue their relationship. In 2012, the victim became pregnant.

They were at their apartment at Ducart House, Steamboat Quay, on September 8, 2013, when there was an argument. He struck the victim with part of a hoover and food fell on the floor.

He then forced the victim to lick the food off the floor.

The woman fled the scene and contacted gardaí. Later that night, the accused turned himself into the gardaí.

He was contrite for what he had done. The accused returned to the US. When the case came to court, he returned. The court heard there had been a reconciliation and the couple are now together with their child.

Judge Tom O’Donnell said the violence used on the victim was not acceptable but the couple had made considerable advances since the assault. He imposed a 12 month suspended sentence.

Judge O’Donnell directed that the parties not be named.

This article first appeared in the Irish Examiner.