HOUGHTON-LE-SPRING THUG WITH LIFE SENTENCE REVERTS TO VIOLENCE, JAILED FOR ATTACK ON WOMAN
A thug released from a life sentence "flipped" and strangled a woman while threatening to kill her.Brian Wardropper was initially jailed for life in 1999 for offences of wounding with intent and child destruction.
Now aged 51, he has been re-incarcerated after an incident involving a woman he had previously been intimate with.
The Newcastle Crown Court heard that the victim had known Wardropper for about five years, since he previously lived next door to her aunt in Houghton-le-Spring.
Their relationship developed into a friendship which later became romantic.
On April 6 of the previous year, the woman ended up at his home after he turned violent.
Prosecutor Ryan Donoghue described the incident: "She said at this point he flipped, came up to her face, pushed her on the sofa and sat with his legs either side of her before placing both hands around her neck." She reported feeling his hands tighten, experiencing a sensation that she was going to pass out and potentially die.
Wardropper allegedly said, "I'm going to f****** kill you" during the attack.
The assault lasted a few minutes, during which he punched her repeatedly in the face as she struggled to get free.
Following this, he stood up and appeared to be distressed, asking "What have I done" before attempting to harm himself.
The victim fled and managed to get on a bus, but Wardropper followed her, sat next to her, and disembarked when she did.
Despite her pleas for him to leave her alone, he continued to follow and punched her again before she managed to escape.
She sustained injuries including a black eye, facial bruising, abrasions, redness on her neck, and a bruise on her back.
She later described feeling "terrified," although she subsequently made a retraction, stating she cared for Wardropper, held no negative feelings, did not believe he would hurt her again, and did not want him sent to prison.
The court noted Wardropper's extensive criminal history, which includes 20 previous convictions.
He was originally sentenced to life with a minimum term of eight years in 1999 for wounding with intent and child destruction.
He was also convicted of battery and obstructing police in 2019.
Wardropper, of Station Avenue South, Fencehouses, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and strangulation.
He was sentenced to 18 months in prison by Judge Stephen Earl.
Jamie Adams, defending Wardropper, remarked that the victim and others close to him remain supportive.
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