A man attacked his partner on three successive days, culminating in him punching her to the jaw in public as she made her way to a leisure centre class, a court heard.

David Rowley was said to have become increasingly jealous and abusive, accusing his long-term partner of flirting with other men, and he followed her as she made her way to her gym session at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre, on September 6, last year.

Jordan Parkinson, prosecuting, told Durham Crown Court, that police received a call from the leisure centre to report an injured female who told staff she had been hurt in a fall outside.

But a passer-by reported having seen the woman being punched by Rowley near a Wilko store.

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When this was put to her, the woman said Rowley had been arguing with her, accusing her of seeing male friends and flirting, and when she set off to go to the leisure centre he followed her.

As he walked alongside he was abusive and told her he would cheat on her.

Miss Parkinson said Rowley then tried to wrap his arms around his partner, but she pushed him away.

Rowley responded by punching her in the jaw with an uppercut blow, causing her to suffer immediate shooting pain around her head and a swollen face.

He then picked her up and told her to tell staff in the leisure centre that she had fallen over, which she did.

Miss Parkinson said over two preceding days, Rowley’s increasingly abusive behaviour included him punching his partner in the back, and throwing a bottle at her, hitting her on the arm, both causing bruising.

Rowley, 33, of Laidler Close, Blackhall Colliery, admitted two counts of assault by beating and one of assaulting causing actual bodily harm when he appeared before magistrates, last month.

He also admitted a charge of controlling and coercive behaviour in an intimate relationship, between August 1 and September 12, 2023.

In a victim statement, the injured woman said she had flashbacks of the incident in which Rowley punched her, constantly seeing his face and arm swinging.

It forced her teeth into her gums, leading to the swellings and also causing her constant headaches, while she had difficulty eating for some time afterwards.

She said she was worried in case she accidentally bumped into Rowley in public and she felt she could never trust the defendant again.

The victim is now said to be undergoing counselling.

When arrested and interviewed Rowley refused to answer police questions, but he did admit throwing a bottle at the woman, when angry, although he denied punching her.

He conceded that he argued with her when they were walking to the leisure centre but maintained his claim that she must have suffered her facial injuries in a fall.

But, when he appeared before magistrates last month, the 33-year-old defendant, of Laidler Close, Blackhall Colliery, admitted two counts of assault by beating and one of assaulting causing actual bodily harm.

He also admitted a charge of controlling and coercive behaviour in an intimate relationship, between August 1 and September 12, 2023.

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The court heard he has no previous convictions but has received three police cautions for either battery or common assault.

Reece Williams, in mitigation, said the defendant has mental health issues, suffering from learning difficulties and personality disorder.

“He did plead guilty at the earliest opportunity at court.

“Although he has no previous convictions, he’s aware that his character changes in the eyes of the law from now.”

Mr Williams said the defendant endured a difficult childhood and was in residential care from the age of 12.

“Given his clinical diagnosis of suffering with learning difficulties, it appears his mental health has been in a poor state for some time and he has taken steps to improve it.

“He has been more open talking to support workers, rather than ‘bottling it up’, as he did in the past.”

Judge Richard Bennett said the defendant obviously developed a jealousy in the long-term relationship which, “manifested itself in the assaults we have heard about”.

But he told Rowley he had read the medical reports about his learning difficulties and personality disorder, and, it would appear he also suffers from controlling his temper and anger.

“It’s, perhaps, all linked to your disorders, but in no way excuses your behaviour and the difficulty you were having controlling your emotions.”

Judge Bennett said it would not have been helped by him drinking to excess at times

“You are considered to pose a risk to future partners, but there are concerns how you would cope if you were sent to prison today.”

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Judge Bennett said “balancing up” all the features of the case he felt it best to pass a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, during which Rowley must complete 35 rehabilitation activity days.

He was told that the defendant is considered unsuitable for unpaid work.

Judge Bennett told Rowley: “You must understand that although you haven’t been sent to prison today you have that sentence hanging over you for the next two years.”