A man who punched a woman in the face before spitting in the face of a police officer has walked free from court.

Owen Suckling’s violence was captured on video footage after he refused to leave the woman’s home on December 11 last year.

The 39-year-old, who sobbed throughout the hearing, was struggling with his mental health while he was on remand, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Suckling, of Ajax Street, Darlington, pleaded guilty to two charges of assault and a further two charges of assaulting an emergency worker as a result of the incident.

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Judge Paul Watson KC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, sentenced the defendant to eight months in custody for all offences but decided to suspend it for 12 months.

“You went round to her house and she tried to send you away but you wouldn’t take no for an answer.

“You punched her to the face. I have seen the footage and it really is appalling.

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“It gets worse when you spit in an officer’s face – it is the most disgusting thing that you could have done,” he said.

“If you commit any further offences in the next 12 months you will start with this eight months from today – are we clear?”