A violent thug who subjected his partner to a prolonged public attack involving punches, kicks and a headbutt has been jailed.
Luther Ormston repeatedly threatened to kill the woman while carrying out a shocking attack after the distressed victim tried to run from his car as he filled up with fuel.
Newcastle Crown Court heard it was on January 21 this year that Ormston pulled into an Esso garage on Hadrian Road, Wallsend, just before 8pm in a VW Golf and got out and began putting fuel in the car. Jolyon Perks, prosecuting, said: "As he did so a female who was clearly distressed and crying ran from the passenger seat of that car across the forecourt onto the road on the other side of the petrol station.
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"She was clearly visible to the witness. The defendant began to shout 'get in the f****** car or I will f****** kill you". The defendant made his way across the road, running towards the female and as he approached her he punched her full to the face with his right hand.
"She could be heard to scream out in pain and began to shout for help. He then went to punch and kick her five or six more times. She then ran ahead of him and he chased her.
"At this point he kicked her then punched her repeatedly to the chest, stomach and legs then grabbed her in a bear hug and began to shake her. She was still crying and could be heard repeatedly shouting for help.
"As he held her in a bear hug he then moved his head forward deliberately in what the witnessed interpreted as a headbutt, shouting 'I'm going to f****** kill you" at least five or six times then threw her to the floor and ran back towards his car."
The witness tried to find the woman but she had moved away. The victim later made a retraction statement, meaning no information was available to the court about her injuries.
Mr Perks referred to a victim impact statement made before she withdrew her support for the prosecution, in which she said Ormston was "paranoid and obsessed" and she felt she was walking on eggshells. She added that she had lost friends and family and said she wanted to rebuild her relationship with her dad.
Other charges were dropped but Ormston admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm on the back of the evidence of the witness. The court heard he has 21 previous convictions, including for robbery with a firearm in 2014, for which he was jailed for eight years.
Recorder Ben Nolan KC told Ormston: "It was a prolonged attack involving kicking, punching and a headbutt. "
Ormston, of Merton Road, Durham, wrote a letter saying: "I would like to say how truly sorry I am for my behaviour and actions. I've never been so ashamed in my whole life and I'm willing to do anything to make up for my behaviour towards my partner. Nothing can excuse my actions."
Lee Fish, defending, said: "He accepts it was an unpleasant offence and that he will receive a custodial sentence." He added: "The complainant said she didn't support the case. She felt she had been influenced to make a statement."
Mr Fish said Ormston and other prisoners had raised money for a cancer charity while in jail.
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