RAGING THUG HEADBUTTED GIRLFRIEND AND HIT HER WITH COFFEE JAR
A woman endured a frightening assault in which she was repeatedly throttled, struck with a glass jar, and headbutted by her partner.The victim had been in a five-year relationship with Peter Robertson, 37, and said he had never previously shown violence towards her.
But in October last year, an argument escalated after he accused her of cheating, leading to a sustained attack.
At Newcastle Crown Court, prosecutor Graham O’Sullivan said: "She was in the kitchen having dinner and he entered the room and grabbed her by the throat, squeezing it, something he did on a further two occasions.
It impeded her ability to speak but not breathe." After briefly letting go, Robertson hit her on the head with a glass coffee jar, causing pain, then headbutted her and grabbed her throat again.
The court heard he later struck her face with his elbow or fist.
Mr O’Sullivan added: "He then threw her dinner across the floor and stood with the dinner plate over her head, threatening to smash it.
He threatened to kill her.
"She returned to the kitchen and he followed her again and grabbed her throat for a third time." The woman eventually fled her flat in distress.
Robertson punched her again in the face and kicked her in the leg before leaving.
In a statement made soon after the attack, the victim said: "She said she has been a nice girlfriend to him and can't believe he treated her like this.
She was in shock." However, she later told authorities she did not support the prosecution going forward.
While confirming her account of the assault was accurate, she insisted she still had feelings for Robertson, described the violence as out of character, and wished to have contact with him again.
Robertson, of no fixed address, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault.
He also breached a community order for previous offences, including eight thefts and one count of criminal damage.
With 55 prior convictions, including grievous bodily harm and wounding with intent, he was jailed for 18 months.
Judge Gavin Doig told him his actions were "deeply unpleasant and shameful," adding: "That evening you behaved appallingly.
She was, understandably, in fear for her life." Defending, Joe Culley said: "Whether wisely or not, it's a relationship that seems to continue.
The defendant has long-standing issues, he has been homeless for about three years and there are issues with substances."
