A Newcastle man who pinned his long-term partner to a bed by her neck and pushed her down stairs during three separate attacks has been handed a two-year community order. Peter Anderson, 45, of Whitgrave Road, Kenton, pleaded guilty to three counts of assault by beating.
Attacks over 24 months
Newcastle Crown Court heard that Anderson and the victim had been together for 15 years, but during the last 24 months he had started drinking heavily and being abusive. After an argument in July last year, he pinned her to a wall by her throat. A few months later, after another argument, Anderson woke in the middle of the night, pulled the victim out of bed by her ankle and pinned her to it by her neck, prosecutors said.
Following those attacks, Anderson moved out of the family home, but one evening earlier this year he returned and assaulted the woman again. On that occasion he put his knuckles into her cheek, pushed her down some stairs, punched her in the small of her back and spat at her.
Third assault details
Neil Jones, prosecuting, said the first two assaults happened on July 18 last year and February 6 this year. Outlining the third assault, Mr Jones said: "He grabbed her by the back of her neck and pushed her to the bed face first and pushed his knuckles into the side of her face, in the cheek area and ear. This caused pain.
"He then grabbed her by the collar of her t-shirt but she broke free, only for her to be pushed down the stairs. The defendant punched her in the small of her back, which winded her."
The court heard the victim then decided to sleep in her son's room, but Anderson kept going in and calling her a s*** before spitting at her. The next morning, Anderson said he still loved the woman and they could carry on living together, but she called the police.
Children present and sentencing
The court was told the assaults were either witnessed by children or happened while they were in the house. Calum McNicholas said Anderson was remorseful and still wanted a relationship with his children.
Sentencing Anderson and making him subject to a two-year restraining order, Judge Stephen Earl said Anderson had spent time on remand and he believed he could be rehabilitated in the community.
