'Bully' boyfriend terrorised woman while armed with two knives and then offered to buy her puppy to keep quiet

A "bully" offered his petrified ex-partner a puppy if she dropped the charges over his terrifying behaviour towards her.
Mark Lambert.Mark Lambert.
Mark Lambert.

Former carer Mark Lambert had pushed the woman around and "squeezed her so hard it hurt" after he complained that they "didn't have enough sex" and "wasn't satisfied with the way she kissed him".

Newcastle Crown Court heard when she told the 28-year-old that their relationship was over, he sent a series of unwanted messages and paid a three-hour visit to her home.

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He then went back to her home in Washington again and subjected her to a terrifying ordeal while armed with two knives.

The case was heard at Newcastle Crown Court.The case was heard at Newcastle Crown Court.
The case was heard at Newcastle Crown Court.

Prosecutor Lee Fish told the court: "The defendant appeared at her back door and he was verbally abusive, accusing her of being a liar.

"He pushed her back using both hands, telling her 'do as I say and no-one gets hurt'.

"He produced a knife, which he raised to her face. She was scared.

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"He grabbed her by the neck and squeezed. She struggled to breathe.

"He closed the pocket knife and produced a large kitchen knife, around 12 inches in length.

"He raised the kitchen knife, as if to show her, then put it into his pocket."

The court heard Lambert told the woman to "stop playing games", went into the house, locked the door and took the keys.

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Mr Fish said: "He had her sit next to him on the sofa while they watch a film.

"He lay his head on her shoulder, kissed and blew on her neck.

"It made her feel uncomfortable because she knew he was armed with knives."

The court heard after the film the victim, who was "petrified", managed to get the keys and leave the house by saying she needed to let the dog out.

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In an impact statement, the woman, who was left bruised by Lambert's behaviour, said "I want justice" and warned: "He will end up causing serious harm to someone."

She added: "He offered me a puppy to get me to drop the charges."

The court heard while on bail for the offences Lambert was convicted of common assault on another partner and given a suspended sentence.

Lambert, of Chilside Road, Felling, admitted harassment and having a bladed article.

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Mr Recorder Andrew Smith said the victim was "utterly terrified" and told Lambert: "You are a bully. I am sentencing you for bullying this lady and while you were on bail for that investigation you took up with another partner and bullied her."

Lambert was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with 150 hours unpaid work and a restraining order to keep him away from the woman.

Alec Burns, defending, said: "At the time he thought the relationship was going well and was surprised she thought it wasn't.

"Looking back, he can see how she suffered and what he did was so over the top it was ridiculous."

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Mr Burns said Lambert is doing "very well" on the last suspended sentence and has complied with the authorities.

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