A violent duo left a woman with a broken jaw and a missing tooth after they brutally attacked her in the street.
Andrew Nolan and Shantel Ternent repeatedly struck the drunk victim, including while she coward helplessly on the floor, before fleeing the scene as she lay covered in blood and with serious injuries. A court heard that, as she began to run off, brazen Ternent turned and handed the woman back her hair extensions, which she'd ripped out, and apologised.
The victim returned to her North Shields home and later attended hospital, where she had to have surgery to insert a metal plate into her broken jaw. She'd also suffered a broken front tooth, which needed a denture, and swelling to the face.
Nolan, 36, of Waterville Terrace, North Shields, was arrested as he was known to the woman, while Ternent, 31, of Muswell Hill, in Scotswood, was picked out from an ID parade. Both subsequently pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent.
Rachael Glover, prosecuting, said the victim wrongly believed Nolan had been responsible for an episode of criminal damage at her home in October last year. On the evening of October 13, she'd been out drinking and was walking home when she came across Nolan and Ternent and began shouting at him for causing the damage at her property.
Miss Glover said: "Nolan denied the damage was caused by him. He shouted at Ternent to hit [the victim] and both proceeded to hit her, including when she was on the ground. She was left covered in blood. Ternent handed back her hair extensions, which had been ripped out, and said sorry.
"[The victim] ran home and rang the police. There was some delay in her being treated as she was very drunk and didn't realise how serious her injuries were."
Newcastle Crown Court heard that the woman suffered from facial swelling, a broken jaw and broken front tooth and had to undergo surgery to have a metal plate fitted. In a statement, she said she felt that Nolan and Ternent could have killed her.
The victim added: "As a result of this incident, I have lost my confidence and job. I was already suffering from stress and anxiety. As well as a painful fractured jaw, I have lost a front tooth. I have always had lovely teeth and taken care of them and they have ruined that."
Claire Anderson, defending Nolan, who has 48 offences on his record, including for violence, said he'd initially got involved to separate the two women. She added: "He's got complex mental health issues."
Paul Wilkinson, defending Ternent, who has a criminal record but mainly involving shoplifting offences, said she was remorseful and had stayed out of trouble since 2019. She'd also pleaded guilty.
Nolan was locked up for 27 months, while Ternent was given an 18-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. Judge James Adkin, the Recorder of Durham, said: "This is very much a last chance for you, Shantel Ternent, bearing in mind your record. It's very unlikely a judge will give you this opportunity again."
Both defendants were made subject of a five-year restraining order and Ternent must also complete a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement.
