A man has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after carrying out a vicious and prolonged attack on his ex-girlfriend, which involved beating her with a rolling pin, biting her arm, and violently yanking out clumps of her hair. The assault lasted for approximately 40 minutes and left the victim with significant injuries and lasting trauma.
Details of the Brutal Assault
Andrew Charleston, aged 29, unexpectedly entered his ex-partner's home in Wallsend through the back door on September 19, 2025, while clutching an open bottle of vodka. The court heard that he had been in a relationship with the victim for around two years before it ended in June of the previous year. On the day of the attack, the woman was at home with her son's friend when Charleston launched into a violent rampage.
A Prolonged and Terrifying Ordeal
Prosecutor Mairi Clancy described how Charleston grabbed the victim's arm with an incredibly firm grip and punched her repeatedly in the face and arms. He then took hold of her hair, ripping out clumps from her scalp and dragging her to the floor by her hair, causing her to land on her back with considerable force. The son's friend attempted to intervene, leading to a brief altercation, but Charleston quickly turned his attention back to the woman.
In a desperate attempt to protect herself, the victim raised her arm, which Charleston then bit for around 30 seconds, inflicting what she described as a "burning pain." When she tried to flee, he caught up with her, grabbed her hair from behind, and dragged her back towards the property and into the kitchen. The woman then grabbed a rolling pin and struck him on the back of the head in self-defence, but he threw her to the floor and began beating her with the same rolling pin.
Aftermath and Legal Proceedings
The attack only ended when the victim managed to escape. A neighbour called the police, but Charleston was not arrested immediately. He later returned to the property, causing further alarm to the victim, but fell asleep before officers arrived to take him into custody. The assault left the victim with swelling and significant bruising on her arms, including marks from the bite, and she has been left living in fear, wanting to move home so Charleston cannot locate her.
Sentencing and Previous Convictions
At Newcastle Crown Court, Charleston, of Scarborough Road, Walker, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He has 71 previous convictions, mainly for theft and dishonesty, and was on post-licence supervision after being released from prison at the time of the attack. Judge Carolyn Scott described the assault as "vicious" and noted that a probation report indicates he poses a high risk of serious harm to the victim and the public.
In addition to the 18-month jail sentence, Charleston was given a five-year restraining order. Defence lawyer Penny Hall stated that Charleston had been consuming alcohol and his prescribed drugs to excess and cannot recall the incident, but accepts he was inappropriate and violent, expressing regret for his actions.
The case highlights the severe impact of domestic violence and the ongoing risks posed by repeat offenders, with the victim's ordeal underscoring the need for robust legal measures to protect survivors.
