A man stamped on his girlfriend and dragged her around by her hair following a drunken argument in a taxi.
George Carter left his former partner terrified she'd be killed after launching a vicious attack in December last year. The 31-year-old punched her repeatedly before "straddling" her and grabbing her by the throat. He then threatened to burn down her home if she called the police.
Carter, of Tweed Street, Chopwell, appeared at Durham Crown Court to be sentenced for assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage. He had pleaded guilty to the charges at a previous hearing.
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Christopher Wood, prosecuting, said on December 12, last year, Carter and his then-partner had been out drinking and returned home in the early hours of December 13. He said: "The defendant appeared to get abusive in the taxi on the way home and said he would throw her out of the address. The taxi driver said they had been talking about taking drugs."
When they returned home, the woman attempted to call her mother, before Carter took her phone from her and "smashed it against the bedroom wall". He then continued hurling abuse at her before "punching her a number of times to the face". Dr Wood said: "He punched her and grabbed her hair and dragged her to the floor and around the house and took her outside. While outside, and wearing walking boots, he kicked her several times to the legs, arms and face. He stamped on her arms before he straddled her and put his hands across her neck. She was fearful he was going to kill her."
The court heard the violence lasted around 45 minutes, which also involved Carter threatening to burn down the woman's home if she tried to call police. The woman, who could be heard "screaming" during the attack, managed to get away and walked to Leadgate service station in Consett where she managed to call the police. Carter, who had three previous convictions for three offences, was arrested soon after.
Jennifer Coxon, defending, said: "He is not someone to shy away from what he's done. He has little memory of the incident and it's clear he needs assistance. He has a lot going on from personal trauma, he's covered up pain and emotions by taking drugs and alcohol." Ms Coxon added Carter was "petrified at the prospect of an immediate custodial sentence".
Sentencing Carter, Judge James Adkin said it was an "extremely violent assault" and jailed him for 18 months. A 10 year restraining order was also imposed.
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