REECE MARRIN

SEAHAM DOMESTIC ABUSER WHO 'CHOKED' EX-PARTNER JAILED FOR BANNED DRIVING OFFENCES

A domestic abuser has been jailed for carrying out two banned driving offences within weeks of receiving a suspended sentence.

In July, Reece Marrin was given a 21 month prison sentence, suspended for two years for "serious domestic abuse" and driving whilst disqualified.

But less than a week after being sentenced, Marrin was caught behind the wheel and was arrested before being released on bail.

Undeterred, the 26-year-old was once again found in the driver's seat of a vehicle weeks later.

Marrin, of Hexham Avenue, Deneside, appeared at Durham Crown Court on Thursday to be sentenced for driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance.

He had pleaded guilty to four driving whilst disqualified offences this year alone.

Prosecutor Anthony Pettengell explained that Marrin was given a suspended sentence on July 12 for assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault, and driving whilst disqualified.

He described Marrin grabbing his ex-partner by the throat, pinning her to the bed, and choking her.

Marrin then followed her down the stairs, lifted her from the feet, and threw her to the floor.

Despite the suspended sentence, Marrin was caught driving on July 18 at Washington and confirmed he was disqualified and uninsured.

Later, on August 8, while on bail, he was stopped again on Exeter Avenue in Seaham, where he admitted the offences, claiming the vehicle belonged to his step-dad and he had permission to drive it.

His defender Sarah Hopkinson said Marrin accepted wrongdoing as soon as he could on both occasions and pleaded guilty early, showing remorse.

She noted Marrin's role as a carer for his great-grandad and the possibility of employment at a Greggs warehouse.

Judge James Adkin activated 14 months of his suspended sentence and banned him from driving for 19 months.