A Dowagiac man who punched, kicked and bit his pregnant girlfriend in February is heading to jail.

Mario Reyna, 27, was sentenced to 180 days in the Cass County Jail and two years of probation Friday in Cass County Circuit Court.

Judge Michael Dodge said the victim was nine weeks pregnant when Reyna punched and kicked her in the face Feb. 17. Reyna also pulled the victim’s hair and bit her several times, the court heard.

At the time of the offense, Reyna was out on bond for a domestic violence charge on the same victim.

Dodge said he didn’t buy Reyna’s attempts to paint the victim as the aggressor.

“I think it’s pretty pathetic and just not believable,” Dodge said.

Defense attorney James Miller said his client has issues with violence and alcohol abuse. Miller said Reyna suffers from alcohol problems because he is unemployed and only has a ninth-grade education.

Assistant Prosecutor Kirk Metzger said Reyna has now been convicted of domestic violence at least three times.

Reyna received credit for 75 days served.

Sentencing guidelines for Reyna were zero to 17 months.