A respected welding inspector from Northumberland has admitted headbutting and punching his blind girlfriend during a drunken assault at their home. Paul Hunter, 46, of Cornfields in Hebburn, appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court last week to plead guilty to one count of assault by beating.
Attack on New Year's Day
Prosecutor Brian Payne told the court that the incident occurred on New Year's Day this year. The victim, Hunter's long-term partner, is registered blind. Mr Payne said: "The incident arises out of the defendant binge drinking over a long period and becoming increasingly argumentative."
The court heard that the couple were at their home in Lynemouth when an argument erupted. Reading from the victim's statement, Mr Payne said: "Paul got up and walked over to me and got very close to me. He had the remote in his hand with his arm raised above his head and he said 'I could cave your head in with this'."
Victim's ordeal
The terrified victim went to the kitchen, but Hunter continued shouting and screaming. Still reading from the woman's statement, Mr Payne added: "I was then hit on the head. I knew he had headbutted me because I could feel his breath on my face and smell alcohol on his breath. Before I had a chance to react, he punched me in the stomach with his fist."
The victim fled to the bathroom for safety while police were called. Hunter was arrested and later charged.
Background and mitigation
Magistrates heard that Hunter had one old, dissimilar conviction and worked as a welding inspector, earning a good salary. His defence lawyer, Ian Hudson, said: "There is also genuine remorse and a guilty plea. I will address you further at the next hearing." He conceded that a pre-sentence report would be needed.
Magistrates agreed to release Hunter on conditional bail. He will return to the same court for sentencing on July 2.
