A WOMAN who died six months after a violent attack at the hands of her former partner had been subjected to a history of repeated domestic violence by him, a jury was told yesterday.

Kathryn Cook, 44, was found unconscious in her bedroom by her daughter Rebecca, who was ten at the time, on her return home from school.

She had suffered a blow to the back of the head, had strangulation marks on her neck and clumps of her hair had been pulled out and strewn around, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Paul Northey, 42, who was seen leaving the house in Penshaw Gardens, Stanley, County Durham, about an hour before she was found on June 25, 2008, has denied her murder.

Adrian Waterman, prosecuting said: “The evidence is that it was a sustained, forceful attack on an intoxicated woman causing her a range of injuries, including a blow to the back of the head, which went on to cause her catastrophic brain damage.”

The court was told Ms Cook died of bronchial pneumonia on January 13 2009 – caused by her being in a coma, which in turn was the result of the brain damage.

Mr Waterman said Ms Cook had been in a volatile relationship with Northey for a number of years. He had repeatedly assaulted her and had been arrested on two occasions.

The two had separated, but still met secretly.

In the early hours of the fateful day, a neighbour heard Northey shouting abuse at Ms Cook. He was seen leaving her house at shortly after 2pm. Rebecca returned home and found her mother’s unconscious body.

When interviewed on the same day Northey denied harming her, but he later pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

After her death Northey claimed he had gone from his home in Wylam Road to check a television. He said Ms Cook became hysterical when he picked up her purse and he had held her at arms length to stop her getting at him and had pushed her onto her bed.

Mr Waterman said: “The defendant later said he did not understand what he was doing in entering a guilty plea.

“The prosecution submit, what other option did he have, unless he owned up to murder?

“We submit, he knew very well what he was admitting when he entered a guilty plea.”

The case continues.