STEVEN PATRICK

COUNTY DURHAM MAN JAILED FOR BRUTAL ASSAULT ON PARTNER AFTER NEW YEAR PUB OUTING

Following a New Year’s Day visit to a pub, Steven Patrick, a resident of County Durham, became involved in a violent domestic incident.

The court heard that he pushed his partner down the stairs, strangled her, and pulled chunks of her hair after she criticized his driving as they left The Old England pub located in Great Lumley.

The altercation intensified when Patrick’s mood changed, prompting him to shove his partner, causing her to fall again and become disoriented and shocked.

He then shouted at her, threw objects, and assaulted her by pushing her into a wall while yanking her hair, leading to hair loss.

He also grabbed her neck, pressed her against a wall, which made her struggle to breathe and instilled fear for her life.

The court heard he called emergency services falsely claiming she was burgling his flat.

When police arrived, they noted her injuries and detained him.

During police questioning, he claimed he had been out drinking with friends and had no memory of driving home or the assault.

Initially denying the charges, he later indicated he was considering changing his pleas.

The court sentenced him to 14 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, subject to conditions including 200 hours of unpaid work, abstaining from alcohol, and attending rehabilitative sessions.

A restraining order was also enacted for three years, preventing him from contacting or approaching his partner and from visiting her residence in Chester-le-Street.