A man knocked his partner briefly unconscious after striking her with a kitchen pan during a drink and drug-fuelled violent outburst, a court heard.

The victim came around as her assailant, Warren Kennick, was wiping blood from her face and head.

Durham Crown Court heard that Kennick later accompanied the victim to hospital with her mother, for treatment for what was described as, “fairly unpleasant bruising and swelling around both eyes and a laceration to her upper forehead”.

But Shaun Dryden, prosecuting, told the court when the victim left hospital later and returned to her flat, in West Springs, Crook, in the early hours of July 1, she found it had been extensively damaged by Kennick.

(Image: Durham Constabulary)

Among items damaged were the washing machine door, which was pulled off, the tv was smashed and there were abusive messages scrawled on the wall.

Mr Dryden said the housing association managing the accommodation block put the cost of the damage at more than £1,000.

The court heard the original outbreak of violence came on their return to the victim’s home after Kennick had been drinking with his partner in pubs in Bishop Auckland, on June 29.

He smashed bottles in the street and the victim was taken to her mother’s address.

Kennick was told to “calm down”, but when his partner later returned to her home, he grabbed her face and neck, and then punched and kicked her on the floor, causing bruising to her head and body.

It was than that the defendant went to the kitchen and armed himself with the pan to further strike the victim.

When he was arrested and interviewed, Kennick made no reply to police questioning.

A brief statement from the victim was read to the court in which she said she was left, “down and depressed” over the attack, describing Kennick as, “an habitual bully who always assaults women.”

(Image: Durham Constabulary)

She added, however, that she was looking forward to a brighter future.

The 39-year-old defendant, of no fixed abode, was said to have 34 convictions for 70 offences, featuring past offences of violence, including twice on his latest victim, for which he served a short prison sentence in 2022.

He admitted charges of assault causing actual bodily harm, intentional strangulation and damaging property arising from his latest offending.

Michael Cahill, for the defendant, said: “He simply states he has little memory of events that night due to his level of intoxication.”

But Mr Cahill said Kennick was “under no illusions” as to the likely outcome, given his history of previous convictions.

 “He’s been in custody since his arrest and tried to use his time as best he can.”

“He has gained access to the drug and alcohol-free wing and has been subject to regular testing to try to ensure that upon his eventual release he is free of addiction.

“He has also had access to mental health services to help him cope with his anxiety and depression."

Mr Cahill said on the defendant’s eventual release he will also, hopefully, have stability in his life with the support of his family.

Judge Geoffrey Marson KC told Kennick: “You’re now 39 and have a terrible criminal record, and, you have assaulted this complainant previously in 2022 and 2023.

“On this evening you were aggressive and abusive and caused significant destruction to her home.

“You put both hands of her throat to the point where she could barely breathe.”

The judge said when she bit the defendant to try to get him off, he responded by punching her several times to the face, before landing further fist blows and kicks when she went to the floor.

“You then hit her with the kitchen pan and she lost consciousness, falling to the floor.

“She had to have surgical staples inserted to treat her injuries, as well as suffering bruising and swelling.

“Then, there was all the damage to her home.

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“No wonder she’s down and depressed at your behaviour.

“Very little can be said in your favour, but I’m encouraged to hear you are using your time in prison usefully to address you drug misuse.”

Imposing a three-year prison sentence he also made Kennick subject to a five year restraining order, prohibiting him from contacting or approaching the victim.