A MAN chased after and struck his partner in the back with an axe as she fled from his home across a petrol station forecourt.

Sean Atkins lost control after the woman, his now former girlfriend, slammed the door as she left his home following an earlier row, on September 22

Durham Crown Court heard that Atkins was to have given her a lift home, but after the argument, he refused.

Chris Morrison, prosecuting, said during the dispute the defendant became increasingly aggressive and it was when he said he would not give her a lift that she left his home.

After she slammed the door, Atkins picked up an axe as he chased her, in public.

A witness working at a nearby petrol station saw a woman screaming as the male behind pull out an axe from his top.

Although the filling station worker did not see the resulting blow, it was evident it did strike the fleeing woman, who, “crumpled to the ground”.

Mr Morrison said, fearing the woman may be struck again, the attendant, “bravely” approached the defendant, who muttered something before calmly walking away.

He was recognised on cctv and when arrested and interviewed, Atkins initially just replied: “No comment”, but later remained either silent or defensive to further questions.

Atkins claimed to have thrown the axe into some bushes.

Mr Morrison said it was fortunate, the injury was not serious.

“But, it was a very disturbing public display of aggression.”

Atkins, 22, of Russ Street, Helmington Row, near Crook, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm, possession of an offensive weapon and arson, relating to a previous incident when Atkins filmed himself setting fire to the woman’s coat.

Lewis Kerr, for Atkins, said the “backdrop” was the “somewhat tempestuous” 18-month relationship coming to an end.

Mr Kerr said the previous arson was the burning of a small hole in the coat, outside on concrete and after taking a picture he immediately stamped it out.

“The assault seems to have been an uncharacteristic violent outburst.”

Mr Kerr said the defendant has had issues with adhd but is in full-time employment as a ground worker.

“He’s been in custody for the first time this last month since the incident and he’ll lose that employment.”

Judge Ray Singh said he noticed there has been “a lapse” in the defendant’s offending in recent years, but he told Atkins: “I’m afraid you have not grown up from the young individual who committed those earlier offences.

“You became annoyed here, as is your trait, and you swung the axe.

“It is only through good fortune there was no greater harm.

“Your intention must have been to cause more serious harm than actually resulted.”

Imposing a 12-month prison sentence he also made Atkins subject of a ten-year restraining order prohibiting contact or approaches to the attack victim.

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