Dwain Northend, 42, admitted causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) after repeatedly punching his brother in the head at their mother's home in Stockton, leaving him requiring surgery to remove a section of his skull. The attack took place on December 6 last year, following a series of “unpleasant” messages sent by Northend to his sibling.
Attack and Surgery
Prosecutor Ian West told Teesside Crown Court on Thursday that Northend repeatedly struck his brother with a closed fist. The victim got up and left but later began to feel unwell. He was taken to hospital, where surgeons performed major surgery “to remove a section of his skull to relieve bleeding on his brain – his skull was opened and stitched back up.” West noted that the surgery “effectively saved the man’s life – his injury was thought to be life threatening when he was admitted.”
The court heard that the victim chose not to cooperate with the police prosecution.
Defendant's Background and Sentence
Northend, of Costain Grove in Stockton, admitted GBH at an earlier hearing. He had been remanded to HMP Holme House following the offence, where he remained until sentencing. In mitigation, John Nixon highlighted that Northend “has no previous convictions whatsoever” and added, “I am told by his mother, that her (other) son has made a full recovery. He was not even knocked to the ground.”
Judge Kama Melly considered the “significant” period Northend had already spent on remand before imposing a suspended sentence. She handed down a 17-month prison term suspended for two years, along with 25 rehabilitation days, 150 hours of unpaid work, and a 120-day alcohol rehabilitation programme.
