Sunderland man jailed after attacking two women after coming round from epileptic fit

Newcastle Crown Court heard Martin Brown, 21, had just come round from an epileptic fit before he punched his ex partner and also assaulted her pal.

Prosecutor Penny Lane said that his former girlfriend had answered the door to Brown who appeared to be in a 'state' before he launched the attacks.

Ms Lane told the court: "The couple had separated shortly before this offence took place.

"At about 1.30am on March 29, the defendant attended her home address and she answered the door and told him he looked in a state.

"He told her he had not slept for days and she felt sorry for him and let him in the house to take his epilepsy medication.

"He went to the spare room but about 15 minutes later she heard a thud so she got up and saw him lying next to the bathroom door having an epileptic fit.

"She let her friend know who lives across the road and she was there within seconds."

It was heard that Brown then began to come round from the seizure, but became aggressive.

Ms Lane added: "He subsequently came round and started screaming and shouting.

"The females described how they both ended up on the floor with defendant on top of them."

It was heard that Brown punched the friend "numerous times" to the head whilst she was on the ground, causing bruising to her hands and soreness to her head.

He then attacked his ex-girlfriend by punching her to the head and body, as well as attempting to bite her but she managed to move her head out of the way in time, sustaining bruising to her eye and head.

Brown, of Sunderland, then ran off and attended the front door of a nearby house, where he caused damage to the plastic and covered the handle in blood.

A personal victim statement read out on behalf of Brown's former partner told the court she now feels "vulnerable" and "scared" as a result of the incident.

The friend stated that she had experienced anxiety issues following the ordeal, and how she has become a lot more nervous, after not having anyone to turn to with the incident occurring just before lockdown.

Vic Laffey, mitigating, told the court: "He actively accepts that his relationship is over.

"The incident is an extremely unsavoury one.

"It's very difficult to argue the case."

Brown pleaded guilty to once count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of common assault and one count of criminal damage.

Ms Recorder Turner sentenced him to 18 months imprisonment.

She told Brown: "What happened outside was nothing short of appalling and disgraceful behaviour.

"It's obvious that both of these ladies have been very badly affected from what you did that night.

"In relation to your mitigation it is right you have medical problems and difficulties.

"This is a case that, in my judgment, only an immediate custodial sentence is called for."

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