County Durham man jailed for 'remorseless' and 'humiliating' violence

Gavin Laxton was seen to repeatedly punch the screaming victim in the face and back as he shouted abusively at her during the ordeal, on Sunday September 18.

Durham Crown Court was told neighbours, alerted by the woman’s screams, reported events to the police, but one couple found it so upsetting, hearing the thuds of the blows rain into her face, that they cried at the level of violence used by the “angry and agitated” Laxton.

Joe Hedworth, prosecuting, said when police reached the scene, in Quaking Houses, near Stanley, they called at Laxton’s home address, in Fourth Street.

Read more: Quartet jailed in separate cases at Durham Crown Court recently

He angrily answered the door but would not allow the officers into the property.

Mr Hedworth said the sobbing victim was lying on the floor behind the door.

Laxton continued to be aggressive as he was arrested before he was interviewed under caution.

He claimed he found his drunken partner in the street and dragged her back into the house.

When she was spoken to by police the victim said the incident had not fully sunk in as she was trying to come to terms with what had taken place.

But the court was told she would not subsequently assist the investigation and was a hostile witness when the 37-year-old defendant underwent a magistrates’ court trial, on December 14, having denied a charge of assault causing actual bodily harm.

Mr Hedworth said midway through the hearing the defendant changed his plea to guilty, but on a basis which was not accepted by the court.

His basis was subsequently rejected by a District Judge after a trial of issue and the case was sent to be sentenced at the crown court.

Mr Hedworth said the court should, therefore, sentence on the evidence of prosecution witnesses, cctv footage and photographs of the victim’s injuries after the incident.

The court heard the defendant has committed past offences of violence, but nothing for 12 years until a conviction for affray in May 2021, for which he received a suspended 12-month prison sentence, of which he is now in breach.

Laura Doherty, for Laxton, said although the prosecution described it as a, “prolonged incident”, the latest offence was no longer than ten minutes in duration.

“It was a spontaneous assault as a result of alcohol, which he fully accepts and is working to address.

“He would say he had been drinking and his wife had been drinking and he won’t seek to excuse his behaviour in any shape or form.”

Miss Doherty said the self-employed painter and decorator drank to excess on that day in September, “something he never does”, and for which she said he is, “ashamed and embarrassed”.

Read more: Stanley man told to expect jail after domestic violence plea changes

She referred to the long gap in the defendant’s offending until the affray conviction of 2021 and said he wants to work with the Probation Service and other agencies available to him within prison to address his issues.

Judge James Adkin said on his return home that day in a drunken condition, Laxton found his wife had also been drinking and he, “dragged her like a piece of meat”, while semi-naked, repeatedly punching her in the face.

“Such was the ferocity of the attack that two witnesses burst into tears.

“It was a persistent assault and I take the view she suffered serious physical injuries.

“The photographs show injuries to the face, feet, hips, significant injuries to the left triceps of 4 to 5cm and other cumulative injuries all over her body.

Read next:

               County Durham man attacked partner in quest for more drugs

               Terrified victim feared she would die at hands County Durham partner

               Pair both convicted and jailed for attacks on former partners in County Durham

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“You attacked her remorselessly and humiliated her in the street.”

He imposed a 40-month sentence for the assault, deducting only a month for the defendant’s belated guilty plea.

But Judge Adkin also added nine of the 12-months from the 2021 suspended sentence, making a total 48-month (four-year) prison sentence, of which Laxton will serve half before his release on licence.