A thug who left his former girlfriend's new boyfriend with facial fractures has walked free from court.
Nathaniel Carter attacked his 18-year-old victim as he sat in his car with a young woman he had been going out with for three months, who was previously in a relationship with Carter.
Newcastle Crown Court heard the attack happened in June 2021. Kevin Wardlaw, prosecuting, said: "When the defendant realised the complainant was in the driver's seat he open the driver's door and the victim felt a number of blows to his face.
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"He described being in so much pain and putting his arms up and feeling blows to his arms. (The woman) said he punched him multiple times and she grabbed his head trying to protect him and he started punching him in the ribs. She described the defendant as being really angry."
The victim was left upset and had extensive swelling to his face. An x-ray revealed he had multiple fractures to his face, with a broken jaw and his eye socket broken in three places. His face was "flattened" and surgery was suggested due to the risk of him suffering a sunken eye but he didn't want to have an operation.
Carter, who was 18 at the time and is now 20, of Thornholme, South Shields, who has no previous convictions but youth cautions for arson and common assault, pleaded guilty to GBH. He was sentenced to 12 months suspended for two years with rehabilitation, 200 hours unpaid work and £400 compensation.
Christopher Knox, defending, said: "He spent a couple of days in prison and found it extremely frightening. He is claustrophobic and found it very alarming indeed and is anxious not to go back."
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