St. Valentine's Day Girlfriend Beater Given New Sentencing Date

A St. Valentine's Day thug, who attacked his girlfriend during a romantic weekend at a top London hotel, heard today he could still end up behind bars despite magistrates telling him: “We are going to give you another chance.”

Robert Hugh Rough, 30, of Crowhurst, Peterborough pleaded guilty to assaulting Rebecca Slater, by beating, at the Double Tree Hilton Hotel, Bayswater Road, Hyde Park in the early hours of February 15.

He was due to be sentenced at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court, but had failed to see the probation service to compile a pre-sentence report and was bailed to return on June 4.

Prosecutor Mr. Christian Wheeliker told the court: “Police were called to the venue after staff received complaints from other guests about noise coming from the couple's room.

“Miss Slater says that after they went out for dinner and returned to the hotel Mr. Rough got angry about who she had been with at her firm's Christmas party and she told him nothing had happened.

“This was in the foyer and Mr. Rough followed her up to their room and once inside she says: 'Rob threw all the roses I had been given across the room and was insulting me, trying to make me cry.

'The manager came to the door and asked what was going on and I said everything was okay.

'We went out for a cigarette, but when we returned he forced me to the floor, kneed me twice in the face, and spat in my face'.”

Despite pleading guilty to assault Rough claimed Miss Slater's account was exaggerated and the court held a Newton Hearing to determine the facts.

“It was found her version of the events were the correct version,” added Mr. Wheeliker, who applied for £775 costs, compensation for Miss Slater and a restraining order to prevent the defendant contacting her.

Rough told the court he had done everything he could to co-operate, but had not received a letter sent by the probation service. “I've been worried about probation. I want to get this sorted,” he said.

Bench Chairwoman Jessica Baldwin told him: “We are going to give you another chance. We are leaving all options open, including custody.”