A MAN carried out a sustained attack on one woman then sexually assaulted another, before exposing himself, in a drunken evening of offending.
John Pinder was described as going “chaotically berserk” following a day-long drinking session, on Tuesday, September 3.
The 22-year-old, of Cross Street, Crook, County Durham, was today (Friday February 21) jailed for three years and four months after admitting causing grievous bodily harm, sexual assault and exposure.
Durham Crown Court heard that the victim of the initial assault visited his mother’s home at about 6pm.
Stephen Duffield, prosecuting Pinder, who had been drinking with friends for most of the day, made an “extremely offensive remark”.
Later, after she returned to her home, Pinder “burst in”, before carrying out the “sustained” attack, repeatedly punching and kicking her.
Mr Duffield said police were called and, after gaining entry, found her in a bedroom having sustained numerous injuries.
She was taken to hospital for treatment for a collapsed lung, for which she was given a chest drain, while she was also suffering a broken rib and severe bruising to much of her body.
Mr Duffield said Pinder sought refuge at another house, refusing requests to leave, before sexually assaulting a woman, making suggestive remarks, and exposing himself to all those present.
Police were summoned and arrested Pinder, who made no reply when questioned about the incident.
Asked about the attack on the other woman, he issued a prepared statement alleging she attacked him first, to which he responded by punching her in self defence.
Rod Hunt, mitigating, said by his admissions, Pinder was clearly no longer standing by his initial version of events.
Mr Hunt told the court that due to a previous head injury, alcohol can have a greater than usual effect on Pinder.
“He has to accept that with his mental processes not being the best, alcohol affects him more than other people and on this occasion sent him chaotically berserk.
“You’re not dealing with a cold-hearted calculated criminal, nor a classic sexual offender, but a chaotic drunk.
“He needs specialist treatment for his alcohol abuse.”
Jailing him, Recorder Ian Atherton said Pinder was “completely and utterly intoxicated” that night and left the victim of the attack with injuries, “about as bad as I’ve seen anyone beaten.”
Recorder Atherton imposed restraining orders, “without limit”, preventing Pinder contacting the women involved that night, and also made him subject to registration as a sexual offender for seven years.
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