KIERON THORNBY SHOVES PREGNANT PARTNER AND FRIEND IN WALLSEND STORE IN BRUTAL ATTACK

In a disturbing incident that unfolded in Wallsend, Kieron Thornby, a man with no fixed residence, was involved in a violent assault that left a pregnant woman and her friend injured. The incident was captured on CCTV footage, revealing the brutal nature of Thornby's actions and the circumstances leading up to the assault.

According to court proceedings, the assault took place on September 15 of this year. Thornby, who was then living in a tent in a nearby graveyard, approached his partner after she declined to meet him. Despite her refusal, Thornby followed her into a Nisa store in Wallsend, where he attempted to engage her in conversation. His persistence escalated into aggression when he grabbed her by the shoulder, causing her to pull away. Witnesses reported that Thornby then pushed her forcefully in the chest, which caused her to stumble backwards into store shelving, resulting in her falling to the floor in distress.

The CCTV footage further showed that Thornby’s anger did not subside with his initial assault on his partner. Instead, he directed his frustration towards a male friend of hers, shoving him as well. This shove caused the friend to fall to the ground, adding to the chaos of the scene. The court heard that Thornby’s actions were driven by a combination of personal issues and emotional distress, which he later expressed remorse for during the proceedings.

During the hearing, it was revealed that Thornby, who was under 20 at the time, had recently become a father. His solicitor highlighted that Thornby had pleaded guilty to two counts of assault by beating, acknowledging the severity of his actions. The court was informed that Thornby had contacted his girlfriend prior to the incident, asking to meet her, but she refused. Witnesses observed him following her into the store, where the altercation ensued.

Prosecutor Stephen Davies detailed the sequence of events, stating that Thornby grabbed his partner by the shoulder, causing her to pull away, and then pushed her in the chest, which led to her falling into the shelves and onto the floor. The same aggressive behavior was directed at her friend, who was also pushed, resulting in him ending up on the floor as well. The court noted Thornby’s remorse, which he attributed to a traumatic childhood, and acknowledged his recent fatherhood as a factor in his emotional state.

In sentencing, the judge imposed an 18-month community order on Thornby, requiring him to complete various conditions. He was also ordered to pay £140 in compensation to his pregnant partner and £100 to the other victim. To prevent further harassment or distress, Thornby was placed under a 20-month restraining order, prohibiting him from contacting or alarming his partner in any way.

Separately, Thornby’s history includes a conviction for animal cruelty. The 20-year-old from Sunderland was found guilty of throwing his grandmother’s cat, Teddy Bear, at a door in a fit of anger over a football result, which resulted in the cat’s death. At the time, Thornby was staying at his grandmother’s residence on Balmoral Drive in Woking, Surrey.

Thornby claimed that he was watching football when he heard loud noises and saw boxes falling onto Teddy Bear, the ginger tabby, who was crying in pain. He admitted to picking up the injured cat, which had blood on its face, but stated that the cat scratched him, prompting him to drop it. Despite his account, the veterinarian’s examination revealed severe injuries, including five fractured ribs, a brain hemorrhage, and hemorrhages to the lungs, neck, and jaw, as well as a collapsed lung. The vet noted that such injuries are consistent with blunt force trauma, often caused by being struck, kicked, or thrown against a hard object, but the injuries sustained by Teddy Bear did not align with Thornby’s explanation of a falling box.

RSPCA Inspector Jo Bowling, who investigated the case, found only a small plastic box containing crafting materials at the property, contradicting Thornby’s claim of a heavy box falling on the cat. The inspector described the box as approximately 2 feet by 1 foot by 1 foot, containing tapestries and other items, and not heavy enough to cause such injuries. Thornby pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to Teddy Bear by inflicting blunt force trauma.

During the court hearing, mitigation was presented, highlighting Thornby’s traumatic upbringing and lack of maturity. The judge condemned his actions, emphasizing the cruelty of killing a defenseless animal that was beloved by his grandmother. The judge stated, “This is an awful offence as you killed a living creature and a cat that was very dear to your grandmother who could have not done any harm to you. You say you did not use a weapon, but what you did was pick up that defenceless animal because in drink you were upset with the football, picked him up and threw him at a door. The cat may have suffered greatly before he died.”

Following sentencing, Inspector Bowling expressed her dismay at the cruelty inflicted on Teddy Bear, stating, “Teddy Bear lost his life in the most cruel and unimaginable way possible because of this defendant’s angry rage. The poor cat would have been terrified and his suffering would have been immense. I would like to thank the family of Teddy Bear for their patience and support while I was conducting this investigation.”

Thornby was sentenced to a custodial term of three years and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £228. Additionally, he received a lifetime ban on keeping animals, ensuring he cannot own or care for any pets in the future.