COUNTY DURHAM MAN JAILED FOR ASSAULT ON PARTNER IN DRUGS-RELATED ATTACK
A heavily intoxicated man went "out of control" when his partner refused to allow him to use her phone to order more drugs, a court heard.The incident happened during a day of drinking with the woman and friends in Easington Colliery on June 8.
They later moved to a friend’s house in Peterlee, where Drewitt continued drinking and took drugs.
Prosecutor John Crawford said Drewitt shouted he wanted more drugs, but his partner said no.
She then tried to leave, but Drewitt pursued her, grabbing her arms outside, demanding her phone and telling her: "Give us that phone.
You are not getting me locked up." Drewitt then punched her repeatedly in the head and face, causing her to fall and curl up to protect herself.
He took her phone, which she regarded as her "lifeline," and she wandered the area for help.
She sustained multiple injuries including cuts inside her mouth, painful gums, and heavy bruising on her rib area, arms, wrists, and back.
She struggled to eat and sleep afterward, feeling reluctant to leave her house because of her injuries.
Drewitt was arrested the next day after being seen in a store car park in Peterlee.
He admitted charges of assault causing actual bodily harm, theft, and failure to surrender to custody after failing to attend court.
Drewitt, aged 31, from Blackhall Colliery, has 25 convictions for 42 offenses, including shoplifting.
He was on a community order at the time of the latest offense.
He apologized and showed some rehabilitation efforts.
The judge sentenced him to 21 months in prison for the assault and theft, plus an extra month for the court failure, resulting in a total of 22 months.
