DAMIEN STEVENS

A semi-professional football player avoided a prison sentence after leaving his girlfriend with a £10,000 bill for a cosmetic nose surgery to repair her disfigured nose following months of abusive behavior.

Damien Stevens struck the woman in the face while she was driving, and his violent actions led her to give up her job as a nursery teacher.

Newcastle Crown Court was told that her year-long suffering was only reported after their breakup in February, as she believed she was in love with him at the time.

The woman, once described as lively and cheerful, now feels diminished, describing herself as a "shell of a person." She expressed fear for her safety in a statement, revealing her PTSD diagnosis.

She explained that her nose sustained long-term damage, but the NHS cannot fund the needed surgery, which would cost between £5,000 and £10,000.

She faces a choice: accept the injury and ongoing self-consciousness or pay for the repair herself.

She also revealed that she left her career in teaching because her injuries prevented her from attending school in person, and she could not work from home as her partner required all her attention.

Stevens, aged 31 and from Ashington, has played for various non-league football teams including Ashington AFC, Marske United, Ryton, Crawcrook Albion, and Newcastle Blue Star.

Recently, he signed with Seaham Red Star in Division One of the Ebac Northern League.

Having prior convictions for harassment and assault related to other victims, he pleaded guilty to controlling and coercive behavior and criminal damage.

His January court appearance saw the judge warn him of a potential 30-month prison sentence.

The court adjourned the case to allow Stevens to cooperate with probation, save for a compensation fund, and refrain from further offenses, especially domestic violence, with a lifelong restraining order imposed.

On July 7, he appeared again and was sentenced to 24 months suspended for two years, sentenced to 300 hours of unpaid work, 14 days of rehabilitation, and ordered to pay £2,000 in compensation.

Prosecutor Kate Barnes recounted numerous violent incidents, including smashing photos, damaging furniture, throwing her phone at her, kicking her in the bath which caused her to injure herself, pushing, punching, strangulation, and spitting.

In November 2021, while she was driving, Stevens pulled the handbrake and punched her, breaking her nose.

Defender Shaun Routledge noted that Stevens, earning about £150 per game, is making progress and wishes to continue improving.