Liam Evans, 34, of Tenby Walk, Hartlepool, has been jailed for 57 months after subjecting his partner to a series of violent attacks, including kicking and stamping on her head while on bail for two earlier assaults.
First attack in Hartlepool
On November 28 last year, Evans was with the woman at his mother's home in Hartlepool when he asked her to leave and they began arguing. He grabbed her by the hair and dragged her from the sitting room to the bathroom, then kicked her repeatedly while she was on the floor. He continued to hit her and pulled out clumps of her hair.
His mother called the police, and during the call, the victim could be heard telling him to get off her. When police arrived, she had severe swelling to her cheek, nose, and forehead, blood covering her face, patches of hair missing, and her nose appeared broken. Evans had fled before police arrived, and when arrested, he replied: "Prove it."
Assault in Morpeth
On February 3 this year, Evans assaulted his partner again in Morpeth. A woman in a travel agents shop and other members of the public went outside to check on her after becoming aware she had been assaulted. Evans shouted "here's your coat" and threw it at her, while trying to hit her. He left but returned demanding his bank card. As she handed it to him, he punched her twice in the face and pushed her to the floor against a door.
When a member of the public tried to help, Evans struck her to the back of the head, making her teeth connect and causing pain. She was left shaking and had bad headaches afterwards, saying it had left her worried about helping people in future. Others tried to restrain Evans, but he responded with aggression. His partner suffered an injury to her cheek and neck, and her eye was swollen and bruised.
Final attack on bail
On June 30, having been released on court bail with conditions not to contact her, Evans assaulted his partner again at her home in Hartlepool. Police received a call from her reporting an assault and members of the public expressing concern for her welfare. She was seen to have a "golf ball sized" swelling to the side of her head.
The attack was caught on CCTV and showed Evans push her onto the ground. Imogen Eastham-Brown, prosecuting, said: "She stands up and grabs him around the shoulder, causing him to lose his balance and he then punches her in the face. The defendant dragged her on the floor by the hair and clothing. He puts his body weight on top of her and stamps on her head. The defendant returns and kicks her in the head while she was sitting on the floor. He slaps and punches her in the face before kicking her in the head once more."
Evans pleaded guilty to the final assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assault by beating on the woman who tried to help her. He was found guilty of the two other counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was jailed for a total of 57 months by Recorder Georgina Nolan.
Tom Bennett, defending, said: "He intends to use this opportunity to address matters to ensure he is not back before the courts in future." The court heard the woman had not supported the prosecution.
