A judge has called a Waikato man a coward, after punching his 30-week pregnant partner

Open Justice reports Cameron Bargh was sentenced to three months home detention, along with a final warning on 13 charges.

The 23-year-old's lawyer insisted on community detention, but the judge called the assault "pretty disrespectful".

It comes after Bargh punched his ex multiple times in a scuffle outside their Hamilton flat over a year ago.

The judge says he's sending a message that actions like these will not be tolerated, and are totally wrong.

The baby was born without any problems.