THUG JAILED OVER ATTACK ON PARTNER
A man from Ferryhill assaulted his partner in a brutal and grotesque manner, pinning her down by sitting on her neck and suffocating her during an aggressive outburst.Andrew Wilkinson, who was under the influence of alcohol at his supported living residence, erupted into a violent rage on February 12.
The assault lasted for about ten minutes, during which the 37-year-old attacked his partner from his sofa, grabbing her neck with both hands and applying pressure.
The Crown Court in Durham heard that Wilkinson forcibly shook his partner and, at one stage, leaned into her with force to choke her.
Prosecutor Kate Barnes explained that the attack was recorded on CCTV footage provided by the housing provider, who alerted the police.
The video evidence revealed Wilkinson, residing on Rowlandson Terrace, punching, choking, stamping on her, and grabbing her by the hair to re-engage the assault after she had fallen onto the sofa.
He also kicked her head, causing her to fall to the floor, and then dragged her into a corridor where he held her down, covering her mouth with his hand as she struggled to escape.
Initially, Wilkinson pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of assault causing actual bodily harm but denied intentionally strangling or suffocating his partner during an earlier court hearing.
Before the trial, he changed all his pleas to guilty.
Defence lawyer Tony Davis stated that Wilkinson had recognised his wrongdoing and described the assault as “vile, nasty, and unwarranted,” especially considering he had only been with his partner for a year.
He explained that the incident was out of character and was largely influenced by alcohol consumption.
Mr Davis noted that Wilkinson's lack of mental health medication at the time may have worsened his actions.
Wilkinson, who has prior convictions for minor offences and shoplifting, expressed deep remorse for his conduct.
The court was told that there had been no prior issues between Wilkinson and his partner, with the attack being solely linked to his excessive drinking.
The lawyer argued that Wilkinson is now in a more stable state, adhering to his medication regimen, and could be properly supervised within the community through effective rehabilitation.
While Judge Nathan Adams acknowledged that the attack seemed out of character, he stated that the severity of the assault justified a custodial sentence after reviewing the footage.
Consequently, Wilkinson was sentenced to two years in prison.
