An 18-year-old man who assaulted his girlfriend of just three weeks in a Newcastle Quayside hotel and threatened to jump into the River Tyne if she reported him to police has been handed a suspended prison sentence. Nathan Duffy, of Turner Street, Redcar, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm at Newcastle Crown Court.
Attack in Quayside Hotel
The couple had booked a two-night stay at an aparthotel on Newcastle's Quayside on January 30 this year. On the evening of January 31, they went for drinks in the city centre. While at a bar, Duffy went to the toilet and was gone for some time. When he returned, his girlfriend noticed a change in his behaviour and believed he had taken drugs. She confronted him, sparking an argument that continued after they left the pub. Two members of the public tried to intervene due to concerns about the row.
Back at the hotel, the woman attempted to talk to Duffy. Prosecutors told the court: "She got close to his face and asked to stop arguing. In response, he headbutted her in the face. She punched him in self-defence to get away, but he pulled her hair with such force, a large chunk of hair fell out and she fell to the ground." While she was on the floor, Duffy punched her multiple times, causing injuries to her eyes, jaw, and mouth.
Threat to Jump in River Tyne
After the assault, the victim ran to the hotel reception for help. Duffy shouted after her: "If you're going to call the police I'm going to jump in the Tyne." Despite this threat, the woman's mother booked her a taxi home at around 1:30am. Later, Duffy posted an Instagram story claiming his girlfriend had used makeup to fake the injuries he caused.
In a victim impact statement read in court, the woman said: "Being assaulted by him has affected me both mentally and physically. Since the incident I've felt anxious, scared, and emotionally distressed. I struggled with feeling safe and I found it difficult to relax and stop thinking about what happened on that night." She added: "I've had pain in my jaw and my neck and struggled to eat for the first few weeks after the assault due to the pain in my jaw. I still feel like I can feel his hands on me and the memory of what happened stays with me every day."
Sentence and Restraining Order
Duffy, who has no previous convictions, was handed a 20-month prison sentence suspended for two years. He was also served a five-year restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim. The court heard that Duffy has shown remorse and told the probation service that he had consumed more alcohol than ever before that night.
