Gareth Husband, a 26-year-old from Houghton-le-Spring, has been sentenced to 32 months in prison for a series of offences including common assault, actual bodily harm, and dangerous driving. The incident occurred on June 16 when police were called to Kirkstone Avenue after reports of a suspicious man.
Incident Details
Upon arrival, officers found a black BMW parked on the cul-de-sac. A police check revealed the vehicle had no valid insurance, and a recovery truck was preparing to remove it. When Husband returned to the car after being seen climbing into private gardens, PC Hogg shouted for him to stop. As Husband got into the driver's seat, PC Hogg entered the passenger seat.
Footage shown in court depicted a "shocking piece of dangerous driving," according to the judge, endangering both the officer and nearby properties. Husband began driving while PC Hogg was half in and half out of the car with the passenger door still open. The officer delivered distraction blows, but Husband accelerated, headbutted the officer, and crashed into a lamp post.
Assault and Aftermath
A scuffle ensued where Husband repeatedly punched PC Hogg and kneed Robert Blakeley, the recovery truck driver, in the back. He also threatened to bite both men. PC Hogg was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary with a lump on his temple, blurred vision, and hand injuries. Husband was found to have 42mg of alcohol per 100ml in his bloodstream. He provided no comment during interview.
Previous Convictions
The court heard that the incident occurred the day after Husband's grandmother's funeral. He was also sentenced for theft of copper wire in December 2024 and handling stolen goods worth £40,000 (vapes) in October 2024. Husband has 15 convictions from 24 offences, including previous motoring offences, assaulting an emergency worker, wounding, and intentional strangulation. He had been handed a suspended sentence for the latter in November 2023.
Sentencing and Judge's Remarks
Ms Recorder Sellars, who had previously given Husband a suspended sentence, stated: "I promised I would return to Newcastle if you breached that by failing to comply or commit further offences. I hoped it would provide motivation rather than any satisfaction, because there is none on being proven wrong. I'm disappointed to see you again."
Husband, of Kingsway, Houghton-le-Spring, was sentenced to 32 months in prison, serving half before release. He received a driving ban of 12 months and 324 days upon release and must pass an extended retest to regain his license. He also had his suspended sentence breached and was resentenced.
Defence Mitigation
Miss Lamb, defending, argued that Husband had shown capacity for rehabilitation, having completed alcohol monitoring and other courses as part of his suspended sentence. The judge noted Husband's anxiety, depression, and PTSD, and his struggle to cope with the loss of his mother and grandmother in quick succession.
