Woman suffered face injuries from plastic fork after Sunderland man's outburst

A woman's face was injured with a plastic fork when her brute boyfriend kicked out because she had enjoyed a night with friends. 

Christopher Greener had grown physically and verbally abusive towards his partner during the course of their long relationship, which she started when they were childhood sweethearts. 

Newcastle crown Court heard the woman was called vile names by Greener, who told her he could "do better" - but he became annoyed if she went out without him.

Prosecutor Omar Ahmad told the court in October 2015 the victim needed sutures to her lip after she came back from a night out with work colleagues and Greener started making accusations about other men then lashed out. 

Mr Ahmad said the victim had been eating her supper with a plastic fork and added: "She ignored him. He responded by kicking out. He does accept acting recklessly and caused the plastic fork she was holding to strike her in the face causing injury."

The court heard the woman's lower lip was cut by the fork and Greener appeared "shocked" by what he had done, which led to a temporary improvement in his behaviour.

Mr Ahmad said problems in the relationship started up again when Greener received bad news in 2108 and started using alcohol. 

The victim ended the relationship in 2022 and in September that year was granted a non-molestation order to keep Greener away from her. 

He breached the order by sending an email to a solicitor, which the victim was copied in to, which said he was "devastated how things had turned out" and seemed to be asking for a reconciliation. 

The court heard the woman moved away from her home in an attempt to rebuild her life and has been left traumatised. 

She said in an impact statement: "I don't think I will ever be the person I would have been had I not been in this relationship."

Greener, 38, of Hopkins Court, Pallion, Sunderland, admitted controlling and coercive behaviour, assault and breach of a non-molestation order. 

Mr Recorder Anthony Dunne sentenced him to 18 months, suspended for 18 months, with rehabilitation and programme requirements, 150 hours unpaid work and a ten year restraining order. 

The recorder told him: "Conflicts are part of relationships. This went way beyond any sort of reasonable behaviour. The affect on her has been significant.

"It's apparent it will take her a long time to come to terms with and recover from."

The court heard Greener is of previous good character.