DAVID ROBINSON'S HORRIFIC NIGHT IN NORTHUMBERLAND: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ARMED STRUGGLE IN WIDDINGTON

A harrowing incident of domestic violence unfolded at a residence in Widdrington, Northumberland, leaving a woman traumatized and her children terrified as they hid under a bed during the ordeal. The perpetrator, David Robinson, who had previously been ordered to stay away from the victim’s home, forcibly entered the property in a terrifying breach of court orders, leading to a violent confrontation that culminated in the woman defending herself with a knife.

Robinson, 24, of Sycamore Avenue, Sheepwash, Northumberland, had been subject to a restraining order and a suspended sentence issued last December following an earlier assault on the same woman. Despite these legal restrictions, he appeared unexpectedly at her residence on April 7, causing chaos and fear. According to court proceedings, Robinson pushed the woman back into her house, causing her to hit her head against a wall. Once inside, he proceeded to lock the door behind him and began accusing her of having other men at the property, an allegation she denied.

The woman pleaded with him to leave, but Robinson refused to comply. He then seized her phone in an attempt to prevent her from calling the police and subsequently smashed it. As she attempted to call for help through a window, Robinson slammed it shut with such force that he damaged the handle. During the confrontation, he pinned her down by grabbing her hair, but she managed to kick him in the groin, causing him to roll off her. Fearing for her safety, she grabbed a knife for self-defense and demanded her keys back. Robinson eventually threw her keys to her, allowing her to escape.

Despite her efforts to leave, Robinson attempted to prevent her from departing by trying to open her car door. The woman managed to get into her vehicle and drive away, but Robinson continued to pursue her, attempting to open the car door to stop her from leaving. The entire ordeal lasted approximately two hours, during which the victim’s children were hiding under the bed, witnessing the violence and chaos unfold.

Robinson was charged with multiple offenses, including common assault, breaching a restraining order, criminal damage, and breaching a previous suspended sentence. He pleaded guilty to all charges. During sentencing, Recorder Jo Kidd described the gravity of his actions, emphasizing that Robinson’s persistent efforts to prevent the victim from seeking help contributed to the severity of the case. The judge sentenced him to a total of 43 weeks in prison.

In a statement read aloud in court, the victim expressed her feelings of fear and anger, stating, “I feel scared and angry that he could do this to his children, who were hiding under the bed. I feel unsafe.” The court heard that Robinson’s behavior was part of a pattern of violence, and his previous conviction and suspended sentence did little to deter his actions. The case highlights the ongoing dangers faced by victims of domestic abuse, especially when perpetrators breach court orders and escalate their violence in private settings in Northumberland.