Darlington thug attacked ex-partner in jealous outburst

Charlie Dobbing was joined by his pal Bruce Coffey to carry out the retribution after he was kicked out of a Darlington nightclub after confronting the mother of his two children.

The 19-year-old stormed to her address and smashed a number of windows before returning a couple of hours later armed with knife and a bike seat pole.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the two teenagers crept into the house before Dobbing started attacking his ex-partner and 19-year-old Coffey struck a male across the head with a metal bar before fleeing the scene.

Paul Cleasby, prosecuting, said Dobbing had refused to accept that his relationship with the mother of his two children was over and smashed her house up after he had been thrown out of the nightclub.

He said the complainant and her friends were awoken by the pair when they returned to the house in the early hours of the morning whilst armed with weapons.

“Dobbing ran into her bedroom and started attacking a man with a bike seat pole,” he said. “His ex-partner tried to intervene and another friend tried but saw the defendant was trying to take a kitchen knife from the pocket of his tracksuit.

“Coffey was seen to be in possession of a metal pole and hit another man to the back of the head. The victim said this person was dressed in dark clothing and wearing a balaclava over his face.

“As soon as he had done this he disengaged and ran downstairs.”

Mr Cleasby said Dobbing continued to attack his ex-partner and her a female friend before starting to fight a male friend.

The court heard how the teenager then attacked two police officers when they attended his home to arrest him. He flung his head into the face of one officer before lashing out and hitting another in the face with a fist.

Charlie Dobbing (Image: Durham Constabulary)

Dobbing, of Coxwold Drive, Darlington, pleaded guilty to affray, three counts of criminal damage and two charges of assaulting an emergency worker following the events of January 26 and 27 this year.

Robin Turton, representing Dobbing, said his client’s mental health and drug use spiralled following the unexpected death of his father.

He added: “It impacted on his relationship with the victim and matters ultimately came to a head in the events of January this year.”

Coffey, of Neasham Road, Darlington, pleaded guilty to a single charge of affray as a result of his involvement in the offending.

Robert Mochrie, representing Coffey, said his client had acted out of misplaced loyalty to his friend when he joined in the enterprise.

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He added: “He accepts that he wrongly and stupidly allowed himself to become involved in the ill feeling that Mr Dobbing had towards the victims in this case.”

Judge Deborah Sherwin sentenced Dobbing to 67 weeks in custody while Coffey received a six-month sentence suspended for two years and ordered to attend 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and carry out 180 hours of unpaid work.

She added: “You both ignored their requests to leave and you, Mr Dobbing, began to attack the man with a bike seat pole.

“It was also noted that you had a knife you were trying to take out of pocket.”