A man with a history of domestic violence has been jailed for 22 months after leaving his girlfriend with fractures and requiring surgery following an attack in a Newcastle hotel.
John Cook, 42, from Irvine, dragged the victim across the room by her hair and stamped and punched her during an argument at the Maldron Hotel on April 26. The couple, who had been together for a year, had travelled from Scotland for a planned reconciliation getaway.
Attack after reconciliation trip
Newcastle Crown Court heard the trip followed a prior incident in which Cook had threatened to "smash her face in". The joiner had promised to "take her away and make it up to her", but the pair began to argue after Cook repeatedly left the room, saying he was going to the gym or getting a lighter. The victim became suspicious, believing he was taking drugs.
After drinks in the city centre and at the hotel bar, the couple returned to their room and argued again. Prosecutor Joe Hedworth said Cook then grabbed his girlfriend from the bathroom and began the assault.
Victim alerted daughter by phone
As she tried to flee, Cook pulled her back, but she managed to text and call her daughter in Scotland, saying "he is going to kill me" and "help me he is hitting me", before escaping via the corridor and elevator. Her daughter, hearing "screaming and thumping" noises over the phone, called the hotel lobby for help, but staff refused and police were called.
At hospital, doctors found the victim had suffered a collarbone fracture, a fractured wrist that required surgery, and possible fractured ribs.
Sentencing and restraining order
Cook claimed "she always does this" upon arrest and gave no comment in subsequent interviews, later claiming self-defence. The court heard he takes "full responsibility" and admitted a section 20 offence of causing grievous bodily harm at a pre-trial hearing.
Recorder Richard Herrmann sentenced Cook to 22 months in prison and imposed a five-year restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim.
