Jail for 'Jekyll and Hyde' boyfriend who beat his girlfriend unconscious on birthday break

A woman was beaten unconscious in a brutal hotel attack by her "Jekyll and Hyde" boyfriend during a city break to celebrate her birthday.
Luke Newton.Luke Newton.
Luke Newton.

Luke Newton kicked Samantha Ward 10 times after she was knocked to the floor by a series of punches as she lay in bed.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the 26-year-old attacker injured his own hands inflicting the violence, which left his victim's face bruised and swollen and her ribs sore.

Luke Newton's attack on his girlfriend was so bad that other guests at the Sleeperz hotel were given their money back. Pic: Google Maps.Luke Newton's attack on his girlfriend was so bad that other guests at the Sleeperz hotel were given their money back. Pic: Google Maps.
Luke Newton's attack on his girlfriend was so bad that other guests at the Sleeperz hotel were given their money back. Pic: Google Maps.
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Horrified guests at the hotel in Newcastle were given refunds because of what went on that night.

Newton's lawyer described him in court as a "bit of a Jekyll and Hyde" who completely changes character when he has had a drink.

Newton, of St Mungo's Close, Maryport, Cumbria, admitted assault and criminal damage to a bathroom door at the Sleeperz hotel, where the attack happened in February.

He has a previous conviction for a common assault on Miss Ward during their seven-year relationship, which is now at an end.

Luke Newton's attack on his girlfriend was so bad that other guests at the Sleeperz hotel were given their money back. Pic: Google Maps.Luke Newton's attack on his girlfriend was so bad that other guests at the Sleeperz hotel were given their money back. Pic: Google Maps.
Luke Newton's attack on his girlfriend was so bad that other guests at the Sleeperz hotel were given their money back. Pic: Google Maps.
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Miss Recorder Jo Kidd said the attack was "bullying and cowardly" and jailed him for 21 months.

The judge told him: "This attack took place on a defenseless woman, without any provocation, when you were significantly affected by a large amount of alcohol.

"Not only did you enter the room and launch an immediate attack on her but when she fell unconscious as a result of the assault you didn't stop yourself then, rather, as she lay unconscious on the floor you repeatedly kicked her, on no fewer than 10 occasions.

"The amount of harm that you could have done to her by carrying out an assault of that nature is unthinkable.

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"You are extremely lucky that she did not sustain more serious injuries."

Prosecutor Jonathan Devlin told the court the couple, along with a female friend, had travelled to Newcastle for a night out to celebrate Miss Ward's birthday.

During the evening, they became separated and the women went back to the hotel.

The court heard Newton was "drunk and agitated" when he got back to his room and smashed down the bathroom door after he managed to lock himself in.

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As a result, Miss Ward decided to abandon the room they were supposed to share and spend the night with her female friend but Newton turned up at the door.

Mr Devlin said: "The defendant went in and immediately began to attack Samantha Ward as she lay on the bed.

"He was punching her to the head and it would appear she lost consciousness. She fell to the floor.

"Her friend saw the rest of the defendant's continued attack upon her friend.

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"He kicked Samantha Ward as she lay unconscious on the floor, about 10 times, to the side of her body."

The court heard Newton left the hotel after the attack, but handed himself in to a police station the next day.

Mr Devlin added: "He was seen to have injuries to his hands, presumably from punching the injured party."

Glen Gatland, defending, said Newton has sought professional help to help him stop drinking, which was the main cause of his problems.

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Mr Gatland said Newton, who is genuinely sorry for what happened, is considered to be a "very kind and understanding person" when sober.

But he added: "He's a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde. He's a really lovely man when he has not had a drink, but his character changed when he had a drink."