MAN PUNCHED PARTNER, DROVE HER CAR INTO GARDEN WALL THEN HEADBUTTED POLICE OFFICER
A man with a history of drug addiction who became aggressive and stole his partner's vehicle went into hiding as law enforcement pursued him.David Hey, who was experiencing mental health issues during last year's Christmas period, relapsed into drug use, assaulted his partner, and crashed her Ford Kuga into her garden wall.
The vehicle rammed through the brick barrier at a residence in Hartlepool, damaging bikes and scooters belonging to children.
After the incident, the 38-year-old drove off shouting, "are you happy now?" before disappearing as police initiated a search for him.
During a court hearing at Teesside Crown Court, it was revealed that Hey became irritable and argumentative due to financial stress, and on January 11, he asked to borrow his partner's silver Ford Kuga.
The following morning, she called him to request its return, as Hey, uninsured and unlicensed, had not handed it back, and she needed it to take her children to school.
Prosecutor Jenny Haigh stated that Hey’s partner described him as appearing "out of his head on drugs," and she asked him to stay away from her home.
Later, Hey drove into her driveway in her car and ignored her pleas to stay away.
He then assaulted her twice, using derogatory language and shouting threats.
This incident was captured by CCTV, showing Hey accelerating into the garden wall.
Hey fled the scene, but police located him at a different address on January 24 at approximately 5:30 am.
He was found in his underwear, standing on his bed in a fighting stance.
Officers tasered him, and when they allowed him to dress and take his medication, he ingested several tablets from a packet and began threatening and insulting the officers.
He also bit an officer and headbutted two others, prompting police to use PAVA spray and transport him to hospital.
At the police station, Hey headbutted the same officer again and was restrained with leg straps.
In police interviews, he admitted to being under the influence when he drove into the wall and expressed guilt for assaulting his partner, also acknowledging he headbutted an officer.
From Millbank Terrace in Wingate, Durham, Hey pleaded guilty to counts of assault, dangerous driving, criminal damage, and four counts of assaulting emergency personnel.
He has a criminal record with 41 prior convictions over 98 offences, including serious assault and firearm possession with intent to threaten.
Defense lawyer Kelly Clark explained that Hey's mental health issues prompted him to seek help only recently through "Andy's Man Club," and he wishes to return to normal life and employment.
She noted he maintains contact with children from previous relationships.
Hey has been held in custody since January but has a job lined up, as per a Middlesbrough court report, with a reference describing him as dependable during recent voluntary work.
His former partner, who withdrew her support for prosecution, submitted a letter stating that the incident was exaggerated due to her husband's mental health deterioration after stopping medication, and expressed hope for their reconciliation and a focus on support rather than punishment.
Judge Caroline Sellars addressed Hey in court, detailing his violent actions punching his girlfriend, deliberately crashing her wall, threatening police, headbutting officers, biting, and kicking.
She noted that police used PAVA spray and leg restraints to subdue him, and sentenced him to 22 months imprisonment.
With time served since his arrest deducted, he has approximately seven months and eight days remaining.
The judge also imposed a three-year driving ban starting upon his release.
