Gateshead man jailed after filming himself punching woman and calling 999 to admit it

A man who filmed himself punching his partner has been jailed.

Ben Hoyle had been arguing with his then-partner on the morning of November 23 this year when he began videoing himself on a phone. The 24-year-old, who had scratches to his face and a bleeding hand, spoke to the camera as he and the woman continued to argue. But as the row got more heated, Hoyle punched the woman to the face, causing her to fall to the floor.

Hoyle, of Blake Walk, Gateshead, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court via link from HMP Durham to be sentenced for assault. He had pleaded guilty to the charge at a previous hearing.

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The court heard that police went to an address in Gateshead at around 9.30am after Hoyle called 999 saying he had punched his partner and when officers arrived, the two were still arguing. Matthew Simpson, prosecuting, said: "She pointed to a bruise on her left eye and said it was from him smacking her. They had been drinking and the defendant had cuts to his hand and knuckles and scratches on his neck."

The video, which Hoyle recorded himself, was played in court and showed Hoyle and the woman arguing loudly. After a heated row, Hoyle then hit the woman, causing her to fall to the floor. Mr Simpson said the woman was "vulnerable due to her circumstances" and that Hoyle was in breach of a suspended sentence at the time of the offence.

Fiona Lamb, defending, said the woman was the only person Hoyle knew in the North East and had that the pair had since separated. She said: "It is a rather strange video and it's quite clear that the defendant and the complainant were under the influence of substances at the time. There's clearly no excuse for that." Ms Lamb added that Hoyle was seeking assistance for his mental health and assistance with his alcohol and cocaine use.

Sentencing Hoyle, Judge Christopher Prince jailed him for six months.

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