A SALTCOATS man has narrowly avoided jail after being found guilty of assaulting his pregnant partner.  David Agnew, 27, of Sidney Street, appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last week for sentencing.  Agnew was found guilty of assaulting the woman by repeatedly punching her on the head, kicking her on the leg, seizing hold of her by the body and pulling her from a bed causing her to fall to the ground.  He admitted two other charges, one of acting in a threatening manner by shouting, swearing and verbally abusing the woman.  Both these charges took place on May 11 and he also admitted breaching his bail where he met with the woman to discuss their relationship and went to her house. The court heard how the complainers mother lives next door and she was challenged in relation to hearing Agnew’s voice. She went into the house to find him hiding within a cupboard in the bedroom.  Sheriff Livingston said: “I consider this a nasty, vicious assault which, thankfully, didn’t cause much damage. Were it not for you lack of record you would be getting a custodial sentence.  Agnew was sentenced to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work, placed on a tag for six months and will be subject to two years supervision from the social work department.