A Tyneside man who slapped and kicked his disabled partner, threw her Zimmer frame down stairs, and poured water over her has been given an 18-month community order. Simon O'Neill, 53, of Mount Close, Killingworth, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault by beating, one of stalking, and one of harassment at Newcastle Magistrates' Court.
Attack at home
The assaults happened on July 23 2025, when O'Neill and the victim were at home. The woman joined him in bed a few hours after he had gone to sleep, telling him "I love you". Reading from the victim's statement, prosecutor Rehana Haque said O'Neill replied: "I don't think I love you at the moment." He then threatened to ring the police and get them to kick her out.
The woman went downstairs and texted O'Neill to say she would need help gathering her belongings. As she went back up the stairs, he kicked her right leg, which had a brace on, and slapped her with his open palm numerous times. He then threw her metal Zimmer frame down the stairs towards her, narrowly missing her.
Abuse and harassment
The victim went outside and sat on the doorstep, where O'Neill poured a bottle of water over her head, shouting "Little cripple" and "Disabled c***". Police were called, and O'Neill was arrested and bailed with conditions not to contact the woman. He then began bombarding her with phone calls and emails, telling her he still loved her and wanted to get back together. He also sent messages about the relationship ending to her mother, who was suffering from Stage 4 Cancer and undergoing palliative care.
In a victim statement, the woman said: "I had been in a relationship with a man I thought loved me. I feel vulnerable because of my disabilities, which I feel he has exploited."
Court outcome
Brogan Shirreffs, defending, said the victim was not injured during the assault and that she had also contacted O'Neill. She added that O'Neill accepted there was a slap to her head and that water was thrown, and that his language and behaviour were unacceptable. She said he was deeply ashamed and had already lost everything, including his relationship, extended family, business, and his brother passed away this year, and he cannot work due to mental health issues.
Magistrates imposed an 18-month community order, ordered O'Neill to pay £300 compensation to the victim and £100 to her mother, and made him subject to a three-year restraining order.
