Darren Jackson: Stalking and Assault
A jealous Gateshead man who bombarded his ex-partner with calls and threats has been jailed. Darren Jackson, 37, from Split Crow Road, Deckham, Gateshead, was given a restraining order in January 2025. By June, he began calling her repeatedly, questioning why she had a man in the house and calling her a 'f***ing bike'. Prosecutor Katie Spence told the court the woman received 20 missed calls initially, then unblocked him on WhatsApp fearing for her children's safety. He asked, 'Why have you got another bloke in the house?', before she received a further 40 missed calls. When arrested outside the Plough Pub, Jackson kicked a female police officer in the thigh. He pleaded guilty to stalking, three counts of breaching a restraining order, sending a malicious communication, and assaulting a police officer. He was sentenced to 26 months in prison.
Mark Hutchinson: Valentine's Day Strangulation
Convicted domestic abuser Mark Hutchinson, 37, from Hedley Place, Wallsend, left his partner struggling to breathe after strangling her on Valentine's Day 2025. Newcastle Crown Court heard he put both hands around her neck during an argument. The victim tried to call 999 but the call did not connect; she sent a safe word to her sister. Hutchinson looked through her phone. Officers found her in a distressed state, with a hoarse voice, coughing and wheezing. He denied strangulation, claiming he was not physically strong enough, but later pleaded guilty to intentional strangulation. He had three previous convictions for five offences, all domestic violence. The judge sentenced him to 32 months, stating only immediate custody was justified due to the severity.
Steven Wilson: Violent Attacks on Vulnerable Victim
A homeless man, Steven Wilson, 47, of no fixed address, violently attacked a woman who let him stay in her home twice in less than a week. On January 26, 2025, when the victim returned late from work, Wilson shouted, pushed her to the ground, kicked her causing bruises, and bit her left shoulder. Five days later, after she went for a drink, he called her offensive names, threw her onto a settee, grabbed her throat, and punched her face multiple times. He pleaded guilty to two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The judge sentenced him to eight months in prison, but he was released immediately due to time served on remand. A five-year restraining order was also imposed.
Karl Prior: Headbutt and Bite Attacks
Karl Prior, 42, from Middlesbrough, committed a string of attacks between October and November 2025. In one incident, he bit the victim's fingers to pry money from her hand, grabbed her throat, and headbutted her face when she tried to retrieve the money. In another assault, he hit her over the head with a stick and threw a drink over her in her vehicle. He was charged with robbery, intentional strangulation, and two counts of assault by beating. He denied the offences, but a jury found him guilty on all counts. Appearing at Teesside Crown Court on July 7, he was sentenced to five years in prison with three years on extended licence. A restraining order was also put in place.
Jamie Gray: Strangulation and Headbutt on Teenager
Jamie Gray, 36, from Barmston Close, Washington, strangled a woman and headbutted a teenager last summer. Prosecutor Neil Jones told Newcastle Crown Court that Gray had been drinking all afternoon. He placed both hands around a woman's neck and strangled her, then grabbed a teenager by the throat and headbutted them. When the teenager tried to contact police, Gray took their mobile phone. A concerned person contacted police, leading to Gray's arrest. He pleaded guilty to intentional strangulation, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and theft of a mobile phone. Recorder Hawks sentenced him to 18 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, with 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 100 hours of unpaid work.
Anthony Harrison: Harassment with Death Threats
Anthony Harrison, of Cypress Avenue, Fenham, bombarded his ex-partner with aggressive messages after their relationship broke down in 2025. Newcastle Magistrates Court heard that in early October, he began sending 'aggressive' messages, focusing on her private life and new partner. The victim provided 29 screenshots of messages containing swearing, degrading names, and threats including 'I'll do you in'. A victim impact statement described her fear of his reaction after she reported him. Harrison pleaded guilty to harassment without violence. He received a 12-month community order, a £200 fine, £85 court costs, and a £114 surcharge. A two-year restraining order was also issued.
