A Tyneside man has been sentenced after violently attacking his partner in the street and then spitting in the face of an arresting police officer. Brandon Tait, 30, was seen kicking his then-partner in the face during a disturbance on a Wallsend street that lasted around half an hour.
Tait, of Eastfield House, Tumulus Avenue, Newcastle, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court via video link from HMP Durham on Tuesday to be sentenced for affray and assaulting an emergency worker. He had previously pleaded guilty to the offences.
Attack on Sedley Road
The court heard that on August 8 this year, a resident on Sedley Road, Wallsend spotted a woman lying on the floor in the foetal position, before she ran towards the high street screaming. Kevin Wardlaw, prosecuting, said the witness then saw Tait carrying a bottle and shouting.
Mr Wardlaw said: "[The witness] heard the defendant shouting and a slapping noise. The female was screaming and the emergency services were contacted."
"The defendant approached the female, and using his forearm, was pushing her into the ground. He grabbed her hair and punched her body. The witness saw the female on the ground in the foetal position, the defendant approached shouting and kicked her in the face."
Soon after, Tait was seen dragging the woman to the ground before delivering more kicks and punches to her head. Mr Wardlaw said the woman involved had not assisted with the police investigation.
Spitting at officer
Tait was then caught by a male and a female police officer after a short foot chase and immediately became aggressive to both. Mr Wardlaw said: "He repeatedly called the [male] officer a f****** and assaulted him by spitting directly in his face."
"The female officer was also verbally abused. The defendant said 'I hope you get raped' and called her a 's***' and a 's***'."
In police interview Tait claimed he had no recollection of the incident after drinking too much. The court heard he had 11 previous convictions for 18 offences.
Sentence
Penny Hall, defending, said Tait has "used his time well" while on remand. She told the court: "The experience has been unpleasant but he has been working since he went into waste management."
"He is attending church services and drug sessions. He is entirely ashamed of the way he acted."
Judge Robert Adams sentenced Tait to 13 months prison, suspended for two years, and ordered him to undertake 100 hours unpaid work. A two-year probation requirement was also imposed.
