A man who smoked crack-cocaine and acted as a carer has been jailed for attacking his 73-year-old neighbour with a metal chair, causing a brain bleed. David Beal, 51, of Stoneleigh Avenue, Longbenton, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court via video link from HMP Durham on Friday, where he was sentenced for wounding, criminal damage, and possession of a bladed article. He had pleaded guilty to the offences.
Trusted neighbour turned violent
The court heard that Beal had lived next door to the woman for around 17 years and later became her registered carer. The woman, who suffers from a number of health conditions and had previously suffered strokes that left her unable to cook or go shopping, developed a close relationship with Beal and "treated him as though he were her own son." However, she said Beal began to "take advantage" of her, regularly inviting his friends into her home to smoke crack-cocaine.
Ellen Wright, prosecuting, said: "At around 11pm on July 2 this year, [the victim] was at home when the defendant allowed himself in to the address with a friend. They would go to her home to smoke drugs." Around half an hour later, the woman asked Beal and his friend, who were smoking crack in her kitchen, to leave as they were being too loud and she wanted to go to bed. It was then that Beal became "angry."
Attack and injuries
Ms Wright said: "She noticed the defendant had a kitchen knife in his waistband. She told the defendant he was bringing too many friends round. The defendant stood up and slapped her hard to the face. He then picked up a metal chair, raised it above his head, and brought it down onto her head." The court heard the woman fell to the floor and was briefly knocked unconscious. As a result of the attack, she sustained a bleed on the brain, bruising, and wounds to her head.
When police and ambulance crews arrived at the home, they found the woman "covered in blood." Beal was found behaving "erratically" in the garden and had to be pepper-sprayed by an officer before his arrest after throwing the knife towards them. Beal had also caused damage to the woman's home, including smashing her TV, "destroying" a chair, and smashing the glass in a door.
Victim impact and sentencing
In a victim statement, the woman said she is "very scared" of Beal and no longer wants any further contact with him. She said: "He only cared for me because he wanted Carer's Allowance and used the benefits to spend on his drug addiction. He would put an extension lead from my flat to his to use my electricity." The court heard dealers would also turn up to the woman's home to collect Beal's debts. Her statement added: "He took advantage of me, conned me...he could have killed me."
Robin Turton, defending, said Beal had a "childhood marked by emotional and physical abuse" and has two adult children. He said: "He has a history of substance misuse and depression. He has been drug free while on remand. He is devastated by his behaviour. He is ashamed and disgusted." Recorder Richard Herrmann said Beal had shown "limited remorse" and jailed him for 20 months. A 10-year restraining order was also imposed.
