COUNTY DURHAM MAN CARRIED OUT 'HORRIFIC' ASSAULT ON PARTNER ON RETURN FROM NIGHT OUT
A simmering row over a man going out “on the town” with his friends boiled over on his return home in the early hours the following morning.In a heated row which developed when Darren Benson got back at about 3am on Sunday May 26, in a 'mortal drunk' condition, he carried out a prolonged assault on his partner of four months.
Durham Crown Court heard that the badly injured victim only escaped her home in Pelton following the four-hour ordeal when she was “rescued” by her father, after she was able to ring her mother having been “allowed” to visit the toilet by the defendant.
Even then, the young mother and her father were subject to knife threats by Benson, who said he would petrol bomb their home and set fire to their car unless they gave him £20,000.
Then, Benson, 22, appeared before the court via video link from Durham Prison, where he has been on remand.
He initially denied all charges, but later admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm, witness intimidation, and affray.
During the incident, Benson kicked and punched his victim, threatened to carve her face, and forced her into a cold bath to wash blood away.
She sustained nasal and facial fractures, eye injuries likely resulting in permanent blurred vision, as well as bruising and cuts all over her body.
A large knife was recovered from Benson, who made no reply to police questioning.
An impact statement revealed she suffers PTSD, sleep issues, headaches, and dizziness.
She has moved house with her daughter and installed CCTV for security.
The court heard the background was that Benson’s partner was unhappy with him going out and suspected him of talking to other women.
A row ensued, and Benson's actions were described as a horrific, sustained attack over four hours.
Judge Nathan Adams sentenced Benson to 64 months in prison and imposed a 20-year restraining order prohibiting contact or references to the victim and her father.
