A man described as “lovely, when sober” carried out unprovoked attacks on his long-term partner when in drink, earlier in the summer.

Craig Atter is starting a 44-month prison sentence for the series of increasingly violent incidents, which culminated in a multiple stabbing.

The 51-year-old defendant, of Annfield Plain, near Stanley, appeared at Durham Crown Court via video link from the city’s nearby prison, where he has been on remand since his arrest on June 26.

He previously admitted a charge of wounding with intent, relating to that final knife attack, but today (Friday August 4) he also admitted further counts of assault causing actual bodily harm and criminal damage, earlier incidents involving the same complainant.

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Nicoleta Alistari, prosecuting, said the defendant had been in a relationship with the complainant for 17 years, but by mid-June this year it was said to have deteriorated due to his alcoholism and she moved out of the family home to live with her sister.

But she would still visit him, although those meetings would often end due to frequent arguments.

Miss Alistari said on June 21 during a row, Atter grabbed his partner’s mobile phone and threw it to the floor, rendering it unusable for several days.

The following day, during another visit to the house, things began well without an argument for some time, but when Atter turned more aggressive he smashed a drink bottle at the rear of the property and his partner picked up a brush intending to sweep up the mess.

But Atter grabbed the brush from her and used it to smash over her back and arm, breaking the handle.

Miss Alistari said despite being bruised as a result of the blow the woman, who left and went back to her sister’s home, did not report the incident.

A few days later he contacted her again seeking to resume the relationship, and she agreed to meet him half-way between the two homes, but in open-air for protection.

As he was fairly calm to start with, she agreed to go into the family home with him, to avoid the risk of a public scene.

Miss Alistari said Atter followed her inside and immediately picked up a small vegetable knife, telling his now ex-partner: “I will do it. You’re not getting out of here.”

He launched an attack in which he lunged at her with the knife, causing her to stumble back onto the arm chair.

She suffered puncture wounds under her arm, to the leg and thigh, plus bruising to her back and arm.

Despite her injuries, she was able to push him back onto the sofa and he shouted: “Get out of the f***ing house”.

She ran out and passers-by, alerted by her screams, offered to give her a lift to her sister’s home, where she was able to contact the police.

The officers who attended at her sister’s home persuaded her to receive medical attention for her injuries.

Miss Alistari said, in the meantime, the defendant was arrested after returning to his home from a visit to a nearby shop for more alcohol.

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Atter, 51, of New Front Street, Annfield Plain, made no comment to police questions, but in due course he admitted the most serious charge at an appearance before magistrates, before the case was sent to the crown court for sentence.

In her impact statement, read to the court, the victim described the weeks leading up to the final attack as, “horrific”.

She added, however: “I hope he stays sober, as he’s a lovely person without alcohol.

“But, he’s aggressive and jealous when in drink.”

Chris Morrison, in mitigation, told the sentencing hearing that the time spent in custody has enabled the defendant to literally sober up and realise the situation he has put himself in, costing him his long-term relationship, due to his heavy drinking.

Mr Morrison told Judge Jo Kidd: “He wishes for me to put forward the sheer level of palpable self-loathing and remorse for what he has done, which I don’t hesitate to advance is genuine.”

He said Atter had an almost "Jekyll and Hyde" side to his character, when in and out of drink.

Mr Morrison said the former Royal Pioneer Corps serviceman, who has been an hgv driver on Civvie Street, has largely stayed out of trouble in recent decades.

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But Mr Morrison added: “He has now besmirched 30 years of good progress in his life.”

Jailing him, Judge Kidd made an unlimited restraining order prohibiting Atter from contacting or approaching his victim.

She said she would recommend the Secretary of State to mirror the terms of the restraining order in Atter's licence conditions, when released from the custodial element of the sentence.