also, i had police reports and AVO's but the judge told me,unless i had the police officer who wrote the report,in court as my witness,he would not even look at them.

Apparently,father's have a right to equal access to and or contact with their children.This is the case in Australia anyway.My partner and i were together for 10 years.He was extremely violent towards me and threatened to harm my children.I stated all along,over 3 years and 32 court cases ,that i wanted my children to know their father,i just wanted supervised visits.The court made him attend a one hour psychiatrists appointment and decided he was fine to have his children.My barrister told me in our final court case that  all fathers,even fathers who had sexually abused their children,still had the right to contact with their children.In the words of Winston Churchill:''The law is an ass".Talk to a family law solicitor and arrange to apply for sole custody.

My biggest piece of advice for you is DOCUMENT DOCUMENT DOCUMENT. By a journal or keep a running Word document and document EVERY THING.

Next, prepare for the worst. If he petitions for partial custody and you have nothing but hear say to back you up, he'll get it. I hate to say it, but he likely will. So prepare for that event. If it happens, you're prepared, if it doesn't, you will be thrilled.

It doesn't matter what's gone on domestically if there is nothing on record to say he beats you or the child. It's just "he said/she said" and it's very unfair but it's how it works. His criminal record is probably the ONLY thing that you have but if that isn't about anger or abuse or drug issues, it is probably meaningless.

Custody matters take months. Sit tight, document, watch your back, and don't do anything to step out of line. Don't do anything to prevent him from seeing the baby unless he harms you guys. Courts HATE it when you act vindictive or outside the law.