'I thought I was going to die': Newcastle man jailed for assault and controlling behaviour towards 2 partners
A brute who launched a Christmas Day toilet attack on one girlfriend then lashed out with a knife at another partner has been put behind bars.
Anthony Myers followed the first victim to her bathroom and refused to let her off the loo while he attacked her. While on bail for that attack Myers got into a new relationship and blamed the stress of the court case in relation to his first victim for his violent behaviour towards the second woman.
Both women have been left traumatised by their ordeals, with one saying "I thought I was going to die" and the other saying her scars are a permanent reminder. Myers, 28, of Armstrong Road, Newcastle, admitted assault, affray, controlling behaviour and unlawful wounding.
At Newcastle Crown Court today he was locked up for three years. The court heard Myers had gone to the first victim's home over the festive period in 2022 but started acting "odd" and argumentative after drinking on Christmas Eve.
NewcastleWorld: Essential is our weekly newsletter rounding up the city’s best headlines every Thursday - sign up for free
At around half past midnight on December 25, after trying to calm Myers down, the woman went to the bathroom. Miss Towers said: "The defendant followed her. She describes sitting on the toilet and the situation spiralling.
"Each time she attempted to get up off the toilet the defendant grabbed her arms to prevent her from doing so and causing bruising. He said 'you're not going anywhere'. The defendant continued to prevent her from leaving and punched her to the left side of her face. He also put his hand over her mouth and nose on four occasions. This continued for around an hour."
The court heard the victim eventually convinced Myers to let her get a cigarette and she took her chance to run out. Myers then started a new relationship, while he was on bail, but Miss Towers said: "She describes the violence began when he became stressed about the court case in relation to the first victim."
Miss Towers said Myers forced the woman to wear sunglasses and makeup to "hide her bruises" and added: "He began to accuse her of cheating on him. Even when she went to the shop or walked the dog he would require her to video call him, whenever she left the house without him."
The court heard Myers repeatedly punched and kicked the woman's face as she cowered on her sofa then got a knife from the kitchen. Miss Towers said: "He came towards her and was swinging the knife in her direction. When she raised her arms to protect herself the knife slashed her arm. "
Nick Cartmell, defending, said Myers has been in custody on remand for a year, which means has has been sober and added: "He apologises unreservedly. He regrets every one of his actions.”