Woman punched, kicked and stripped of trainers on doorstep of boyfriend's home in Sunderland

A woman was punched, kicked and stripped of her £120 trainers in a shocking doorstep attack.

John Ferguson, Elizabeth Harrison and Stephenie Smith turned up at the victim's boyfriend's home in Sunderland on January 28 and launched the violence when she came to the door.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the woman suffered significant bruising and swelling to her face and head and was left "paranoid" that she could be targeted again.

Prosecutor David Povall told the court the trio turned up at the flat and started "shouting and banging".

When the victim came to the door she recognised Smith, who was there was some perceived "bad blood with" and words were exchanged.

Mr Povall said: "When the victim briefly turned her back she was pulled back onto the floor, she said by her hair, than attacked by the three, repeatedly being punched and kicked."

The court heard the woman was kicked and punched to the body and head while she was on the ground before the group walked away.

Mr Povall added: "In the course of this one of her trainers had fallen off and towards the end the second one was removed from her and both were taken away."

The court heard CCTV showed the attackers left via the lift and Ferguson was captured showing the stolen £120 training shoes to the women.

Ferguson, 27, of Robert St, Silksworth, Sunderland, has a long criminal record and was out on licence from a previous prison sentence at the time.

He pleaded guilty to assault and theft and has been jailed for 18 months.

Peter Schofield, defending, said Ferguson has completed courses and taken steps to better himself while on remand and told the court: "He wants me to apologise for his conduct that day."

Harrison, 29, of Rutherglen Square, Red House, Sunderland has previous convictions for violence and admitted assault.

Helen Towers, defending, said Harrison was homeless at the time, has suffered bereavements and has now taken positive steps to rehabilitate herself.

Harrison was sentenced to 12 months, suspended for two years, with rehabilitation, alcohol treatment and mental health treatment requirements.

Smith, 34, of no fixed address, was the least involved in the violence, has no previous convictions and admitted common assault.

She was sentenced to a community order for 18 months.