MUSKEGON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WZZM) - A 20-year-old Muskegon Township man will be sentenced next month for assaulting a pregnant woman who was serving him with court papers.

James Cowles pleaded 'no contest' Wednesday to assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder.

In October, the 21-year old victim was serving Cowles with the personal protection order Cowles' mother took out against him.

As Cowles and the woman began to argue, she sprayed him with pepper spray. He then hit her in the stomach with a pan.

The victim's stillborn baby was delivered four days later. Prosecutors say an autopsy did not show the assault caused the fetus' death.