County Durham man kicked partner in the face during argument

Daniel Jones lashed out at the woman after they had an argument in her home after they had been drinking.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard how the couple had been in a relationship for two years before problems started to arise following a breakdown of trust.

Elisha Marsay, prosecuting, said: “When the police attended, the complainant was missing a tooth, had bruising to her arms and nose.

“The assault had occurred when they got into an argument after spending the night drinking.

“The victim says she was sitting in a chair when he approached and kicked her in the face.

“The defendant also caused damage to the property when he punched holes in the walls.”

Jones, of Woodville Way, Wingate, County Durham, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage following the violent argument on April 8 this year.

Suzanne Hanson, mitigating, said her client was ‘embarrassed and ashamed of his behaviour’ and has been told in no uncertain terms that his family would disown him if he tried to rekindle the relationship.

She added: “There were no problems at all at the beginning. During the last six months of the relationship things went downhill and there was a breakdown in trust between them.

“He is clear that there were arguments and they got heated but this was the first to involve physical violence.”

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The court heard how the father-of-one had been in a good relationship with an ex-partner, the mother of his child, and there had been no issues during the 11-years they were together.

District Judge Steven Hood sentenced Jones to 24 weeks in custody suspended for two years.

He said: “This was a nasty offence when I consider the photograph and injuries that were caused.”

Jones was ordered to attend a Building Better Relationship course, carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and attend 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

The 32-year-old was also made subject of a three-year restraining order and ordered to pay £400 in compensation to his victim.