Court hears how brute attacked partner in public twice within a few weeks

Jon Spillings lashed out on two separate occasions and left the woman injured and in fear.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the first attack happened around 11.30pm on March 29, when a witness heard shouting about missing house keys on a street in Newcastle.

The court heard the woman was visibly upset and Spillings was seen holding a skateboard up saying "I'm going to smash you over the head with this".

Prosecutor Joe Culley told the court: "He grabbed her by the hair, dragged her round and pushed her to the ground by her hair with her face to the ground.

He is described as grabbing a good chunk of hair close to the scalp."

The witness then saw Spillings holding her by the neck on the ground.

Police arrived and he was aggressive with them, threatening to headbutt an officer and being abusive.

After being released on police bail, with conditions not to contact the victim, Spillings attacked her again on May 3.

The court heard at just after midnight, at her home in Newcastle, a neighbour heard the sound of something smashing then a little while later another neighbour heard a "loud howl" from the street outside.

They saw the victim, whose clothing was ripped, shouting "help, domestic abuse".

Mr Culley said: "He grabbed her and threw her to the ground, shouting things like 'nobody cares about you' and 'you're disgusting' and he threatened to stab her.

"Other people came to check on her."

The court heard the woman was left with swelling to her forehead, black eyes, a suspected broken nose and bruising across her body.

Mr Culley told the court: "She said he started arguing over nothing.

"She said he put his hand around her neck and strangled her and kicked her several times to the stomach and smacked her head off concrete a number of times."

The court heard the victim was not supportive of the prosecution but Spillings admitted two charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and a public order offence in relation to his behaviour towards police.

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The 33-year-old, of Byker Crescent, Byker, Newcastle, who has 23 previous convictions, was sentenced to 18 months suspended for two years with 100 hours unpaid work by Miss Recorder Davies, who said there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

Jonathan Cousins, defending, said Spillings has mental health problems but is motivated to confront his issues, adding: "There is more to him than the clearly disgraceful behaviour which brings him before this court."

The court also heard Spillings has had a "lightbulb moment" while in custody, has expressed remorse and accepted responsibility for his actions.