Sunderland attack victim feared for her baby's life

Curtis Hughes, 20, of Kirkdale Street, Low Moorsley, Hetton, sent glass flying close to the screaming tot.

He then attacked his girlfriend in the same room.

The assault, on Saturday, July 11, was his second on her in three weeks, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard.

On Sunday, June 21, the jobless yob put a cushion over her face, making her fear for her life and that of their child.

Magistrates have now handed him a two-year restraining order preventing him from contacting the woman except for child contact.

Prosecutor Clare Irving, reading details of a police statement made by his victim, said Hughes had barged into her home on June 21 and pinned her down.

He then placed a cushion over her face and tried to smother her.

In the statement, the woman added: “I was terrified he was going to kill me and I was worried for my baby.”

Of the second attack, Mrs Irving said: “She was sat on the sofa at 5.30am.

“She opened the front door and told him to go away because she thought he had taken cocaine.

“She closed the door, but he continued to bang on the doors and windows.

“She heard a loud crash. There was glass all over the bed, the baby was screaming.

“He came storming into the bedroom and grabbed her by the throat and threw her on the bed, and she rebounded onto the floor.

“Her daughter was on the bed, screaming. She has ended the relationship with him.”

David Wright, defending, said: “He is of previous good character and has no previous convictions.

“I would also like you to consider that this defendant is only 20 years old and needs to mature.”

Hughes admitted two charges of assault by beating and one of causing criminal damage.

As part of his penalty, he must complete an 18-month community order, with a requirement of 20 days of rehabilitation work with the Probation Service, and the Building Better Relationships programme.

He was also made subject to an 18-week 7pm-7am electronic curfew and ordered to pay £200 compensation, £620 court costs and a £95 victim surcharge.

A message from the Editor:

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to the Sunderland Echo website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app.

With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Visit here to sign up. You can subscribe to the newspaper with 20% off here. Thank you.