A Canberra man allegedly punched and strangled his girlfriend while she was three months pregnant with his child, a court has heard.
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The woman was driving with her partner in Canberra's inner north at the weekend, when prosecutors allege they had an argument about where they were going.
Jordan David John Westin, 28, pulled the handbrake up twice, before allegedly grabbing the pregnant woman by the hair, and punching her in the left side of her face.
It is alleged he then choked her, pushing her head up against the car window.
Prosecutors say he punched her again a number of times, before she got out and fled.
She ran towards the Ainslie Football Club, the court heard, but says she saw Westin driving at speed towards her.
She made it to the club, where two men helped her.
Westin appeared in court before Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker on Monday.
The court heard he had been out on parole since October last year, and had been in a relationship with the woman since May.
It heard that police had taken photos of her injuries after the attack.
Legal Aid lawyer Hugh Jorgensen said Westin disputed the woman's version of events and denies assaulting her.
He pleaded not guilty to the offence of common assault on Monday morning.
Ms Walker denied Westin bail, saying he posed a significant risk of reoffending, particularly against the vulnerable complainant.
The case will return to court next month, and is expected to go to hearing on November 26.
The prosecution indicated it may consider laying a more serious assault charge against Westin.