Sunderland man with history of violence jailed after battering partner

Dean Jefferson, 38, admitted striking his ex during a heated row in which she smashed a bottle over his head as he attacked her.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how Jefferson, of Doulton Drive, Sunderland, and his former girlfriend were rowing in their living room which then spilt into the kitchen as Jefferson dragged her in a headlock.

His ex pushed him and he then launched her over a beer crate - from which his victim struck him with a bottle, drawing blood.

Jefferson then hit her twice in the face, causing bruises seen by police upon their arrival at the property.

Aggravating the attack on May 30 this year (2025) was Jefferson's lengthy list of previous offences, including a number that were domestic abuse.

Prosecuting, Gurjot Kaur, stated he had 34 convictions for 49 previous offences.

Explaining the scale of those offences as aggravating factors, Recorder Rebecca Brown pointed out that many of them were violent crimes.

They included convictions of affray, battery, common assault, and battery and arson.

Of nine violent convictions since 2003, three had been domestic in nature, she said.

The victim said in a statement referenced at court that she lives in fear of Jefferson and what he could do next.

Shaun Routledge, mitigating, said Jefferson suffered with depression and had a difficult upbringing, adding he had spent time in the armed forces in war zones, which may have affected his mental wellbeing.

Jailing him for 14 months, Recorder Brown said: "You present a risk or danger to the public. Your record is littered with failures to comply."

Jefferson, who had pleaded guilty to actual bodily harm at a previous hearing, was also handed a five year restraining order meaning he cannot contact, in any way, his victim.