Sunderland man who traumatised ex and threatened to kill her put behind bars
A traumatised mum feared she would be killed when her violent ex stormed into her home and attacked her.
Mark Amery, who has previously been convicted of domestic violence against the same victim, turned up at her door last November (2025) and "barged" past her when she said he could not come in.
Newcastle Crown Court heard Amery accused the woman of seeing someone else, called her vile names and made her feel "extremely scared" before he attacked.
Prosecutor Emily Sanderson said Amery, who kept talking to himself, said he had been hearing voices and warned he wanted to kill someone.
Miss Sanderson told the court: "After approximately 35 minute she again asked him to leave. He then went towards her and punched her twice to the left side of the head.
"She put her arms up to defend herself and he began punching her arms."
After the violence Amery apologised but still refused to leave.
Miss Sanderson said: "He began cutting himself a portion or lasagne with a butter knife. She tried to call the police from her mobile but the defendant ran over and took the phone from her hand.
"He held the butter knife to her chin and made stabbing motions towards her."
Amery then warned he would track down and kill the victim and target her family before she managed to run out of the property.
He chased her and threw further punches at her head, which made her fall into bushes in her garden.
Her phone was later found smashed and Amery had made a "crater" in her living room door.
The victim said in an impact statement: "I have been completely traumatised. It's impossible to stop thinking about it. At the time I thought I was going to be killed. I keep replaying it over and over again in my mind."
Amery, 37, of Azalea Terrace, Sunderland, admitted threatening with a bladed article, assault and criminal damage.
Mark Harrison, defending, told the court: "His mental health played a part in triggering his outburst."
Mr Harrison said Amery has shown genuine remorse for his behaviour.
Recorder Jason Pitter KC sentenced Amery to 30 months behind bars and told him: "You have, over the years, made her life an absolute misery."