Alleged batterer of expecting mother faces court

Photo: Mihkel Maripuu

Man allegedly violent towards pregnant partner tells court he remembers nothing. 

Yesterday, Harju County Court heard Rasmus Vesiloo (30) accused in physical abuse of Triin Tulev (28), a crime punishable for imprisonment to three years.  

According to the accusations Mr Vesiloo, during a night hour on August 25^th, beat his then pregnant partner in the face, banged her against a wall, sat on her belly, and kicked the lady between the legs. As assessed by the victim, the hits may have amounted to about 60.

Ms Tulev has filed civil action of €20,000. «My faith in family life is destroyed,» she substantiated. The young lady cannot imagine ever having a baby again, or be living with anyone.

As assured by Mr Vesiloo, he is not intending to have the case declared in camera as the accusations are already public knowledge via the ETV programme «Pealtnägija» (eyewitness – edit). «For a year I have been pressurised with this,» he said.

Viktor Sergejev, a doctor investigating the health of the accused told the court the man was drunk while the alleged beating was happening, but aware.  

«I do not plead guilty, but if the victim claims this to be true then I do apologise before her and I have done that also before,» Mr Vesiloo said in court. Namely, it turns out he has somnambulism i.e. sleep disorder during which a sleeper is able to see and walk, not remembering it afterwards.

Mr Vesiloo’s defender, sworn lawyer Aadu Luberg demanded expert assessment, having concluded on basis on «Pealtnägija» material it was not clear what Mr Vesiloo’s condition was during the alleged battering. The judge Anne Rebane said it would be organised if deemed necessary. 

Ms Tulev, having lived with Mr Vesiloo for half a year, claims to have heard of the diagnosis from the man’s friend who asked her to withdraw the accusation, claiming that Mr Vesiloo isn’t otherwise aggressive but had earlier attacked a person while asleep. 

«In that case I do not understand why he failed to inform me of such a dangerous disease as endangering a pregnant lady,» said Ms Tulev sceptically.

Also, Mr Vesiloo’s defender asked the «Pealtnägija» clips to be counted as evidence – Ms Tulev sharing her experience. The judge promised to consider the show.

On the said show aired October 8^th, Ms Tulev said the man first pushed her in two weeks into the pregnancy. The events leading to the court case were triggered, as assured by Ms Tulev, on August 24^th by a message in which a friend of hers asked her out to dinner.

Prior to that, the couple was to a relative’s birthday where the man consumed alcohol. Arriving at home at night, they quarrelled; as the row deepened, Ms Tulev locked her in the bedroom.

«I opened the door needing to go to the bathroom; then he took hold of my head and banged it against a door post. After that, he hit me against the floor, sat on my belly, hit me in the face with his fist,» said Ms Tulev, according to whom the man ended up throwing her out.

In court yesterday, it surfaced Mr Vesiloo also had messages in his phone from girls – regarding which Ms Tulev wanted answers. «Triin asked what the girl meant to Rasmus, leading Rasmus to beat her,» an acquaintance of Ms Tulev’s who helped her into hospital told the court. 

Out of the hospital early morning of August 25^th, Ms Tulev found shelter at a colleague and her partner.

The colleague described how, on the morning after the battering, Ms Vesiloo brought the lady clothes, vitamins and flowers. «He was weeping and was totally desperate. He said he could not comprehend what was happening, could not comprehend what he had done,» said the colleague who was inclined to believe the man.

Ms Tulev was again hospitalised on August 26^th and remained till August 29^th as the child’s heartbeat had slowed down.

Mid-September last year, Ms Tulev did desire to be reconciled to Mr Vesiloo. By then, she had already had an abortion – in England from where she was supposed to travel on to the USA. While on her journey, complications set in and she had to see doctors.

«There was stillbirth risk, I could not have taken that,» said Ms Tulev.

Asked by the judge if she wasn’t afraid to go back to Mr Vesiloo, Ms Tulev said the desire to restore family and relationship was strong.

Then, however, it became evident Mr Vesiloo was not about to publicly own up to what he had done, and the lady decided to leave for good. Also, she claims the man threatened her: if Ms Tulev will not withdraw the accusation, Mr Vesiloo would send her to jail for blackmail and run her reputation.

Ms Tulev claimed she has permanent hearing damage in left ear after the battering, and she has had to change jobs. On top of that, she’s battling post-traumatic stress and is in constant fear.

Pursuant to commercial register, Mr Vesiloo has been expelled from the board of PJV Hooldusravi offering rehabilitation services at Keila Hospital. In court, Mr Vesiloo affirmed to be jobless since October 1^st.

The deliberations continue today, with Mr Vesiloo and his witnesses giving testimony.