CORBRIDGE MAN JAILED AFTER BRUTAL ATTACK ON HIS GIRLFRIEND
Mark Hardy started punching the victim in the face and repeatedly strangling her to unconsciousness after he saw a text message on her phone that he did not like.Newcastle Crown Court heard Hardy spat in her face before he dragged her by her hair to a barn outside, where he used an axe to smash her phone and stop her calling for help while he threatened to kill her.
Prosecutor Jennifer Coxon said although the victim's mobile was destroyed, she had managed to grab hold of another handset and press the emergency button.
Although she could not speak to the operator, the call was recorded and the victim could be heard saying: "Please let go.
You've made a mess of my face and my teeth are hanging out." Hardy's terrifying reply was: "I will smash all of your teeth and I will kill you." Fortunately, Hardy fled when he heard sirens approaching the property but the victim's dentist has said her loose teeth will need to be removed and replaced and she faces lifelong maintenance.
The victim said in an impact statement she has heard Hardy has "joked" about what he did and went axe-throwing to celebrate a birthday, which is the same weapon he used to terrify her during the attack.
She said she lost work as a result of her injuries and was left traumatised and in pain.
Hardy, 28, of Chantry Estate, Corbridge, Northumberland, admitted assault, intentional strangulation and criminal damage.
Judge Tom Moran jailed him for three years and two months and issued a 15 year restraining order to protect the victim.
