NORTH SHIELDS MAN JAILED FOR BRUTAL PARTNER ASSAULT AND HARASSMENT
Abusive Brian McLauren, aged 54, from North Shields, was involved in multiple acts of violence and harassment against his partner.The incident began when McLauren was struck from behind by an unknown individual while arguing with his girlfriend in a taxi queue in Tynemouth.
After seeking hospital treatment, he took out his frustration on her, turning up at her home in the early hours and subjecting her to a sustained assault.
The attack involved strangulation, kicking, beating, and even throwing a bike at her, as he blamed her for a stranger hitting him for being 'obnoxious'.
In a detailed account, the court heard that McLauren had previously been on bail for assault and stalking the same woman.
He was also involved in a separate incident in February where they had been out drinking.
During that altercation, he sent her abusive messages, shouted through her letterbox at least ten times, pushed her in the stomach causing her to hit her arm, and when police arrived, he had CS gas in his coat pocket.
Despite being bailed, he committed further offences, including another violent incident in Tynemouth in April, where he argued with his girlfriend in a taxi queue.
An unknown stranger struck him in the head, causing a cut to his head, and he later turned up at her home again to assault her.
His victim described in a statement: 'The events have had a very hard knock and affected my mental health and wellbeing.
I couldn't leave my flat for more than a week due to feeling so down.
I'm angry he assaulted me a second time.
I can't get it out of my head and I'm not eating or sleeping properly.
I feel like a total mess right now.' McLauren, who has 20 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to assault, stalking, criminal damage, and possessing a noxious gas relating to the first incidents, and was convicted after trial of assault and harassment for the latter.
He was sentenced to two years and two months in prison and received a ten-year restraining order.
The judge, Recorder Tom Moran, stated: 'You barged in and began a sustained assault upon her.
You hit her in the face, kicked her in the legs and back, spat in her face, continued kicking her, and put your hands around her neck and squeezed.
You then grabbed a bike and threw it at her.' The court was informed that Matthew Purves, representing McLauren, said his client behaved out of character and there was a 'realistic prospect of rehabilitation'.
