Vicious thug jailed after tried to strangle a woman and bit her nose in random attack in Sunderland

Liam Dixon has been jailed for the random and unprovoked assault on a 28-year-old woman who was walking alone along the riverside near the football ground on July 2.

The victim, who was unknown to the 22-year-old attacker, was approached by a topless and bare-footed brute shortly after 4pm. He then grabbed her, dragged her to the ground and attempted to strangle her in broad daylight.

As the brave woman fought off her attacker, two cyclists heard the commotion and intervened, with Dixon fleeing the scene.

His horrified victim admitted she thought he was going to kill her had the witnesses not have seen what was happening.

The innocent 28-year-old was left with significant facial injuries after he bit her nose.

An investigation was launched into the assault and Dixon, of no fixed abode, was arrested a short time later near St Peter’s Metro station – wearing no top and no shoes.

On Tuesday, October 6, he admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm when appearing at Newcastle Crown Court. He was subsequently jailed for 33 months.

In a statement prepared for court, the victim spoke of the physical and psychological effects that the attack has had on her.

“I have very vivid nightmares of being attacked and not being able to breathe as a result of being strangled,” she said. “The nightmares occur a few times an week and affect my ability to sleep.

“Being bitten by the male who attacked me caused further anxiety as I was scared I may contract a disease that could affect my long-term physical health.

“The assault has had a long term effect on my mental health which has in turn knocked my confidence and independence. I’m fearful of being assaulted again and that means I’m wary of people I don’t know. The man who attacked me had no right to make me feel like this.

“The strength demonstrated by the defendant during the assault was terrifying. I feel he would have continued to strangle me had he not been disturbed by the two cyclists.

“I genuinely don’t think that I would be alive today if the witnesses hadn’t approached us when they did.”

Detective Inspector Phil Bowles has praised the victim for her incredible bravery.

“This was a daylight attack when an innocent member of the public was out walking and was set upon by a total stranger for reasons that were never established,” he said said. “Dixon’s behaviour was erratic, dangerous and frightening.

“The incident has caused the victim inevitable distress and she will no doubt live with these events for the rest of her life. Her ordeal was only stopped when two cyclists nearby heard the commotion and stopped to help.

“Dixon has shown he cannot be trusted to live in a lawful society and I welcome the custodial sentence handed down to him.

“The victim in this case has shown amazing bravery throughout this case and I sincerely hope this outcome can provide some comfort to her.”

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