Darlington boyfriend slapped partner's face in cash row leaving her eye bruised and swollen

DARLINGTON BOYFRIEND SLAPPED PARTNER'S FACE IN CASH ROW LEAVING HER EYE BRUISED AND SWOLLEN

A boyfriend left his partner with a bruised and swollen eye after slapping her to the face.

Gary Sheel attacked his girlfriend after he had been out drinking and socialising with her.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the pair got into an argument over money when they returned home.

The 38-year-old responded by slapping her to the face once or twice.

Emily Jo Willis, prosecuting, told the court how the woman sustained an eye injury in the assault on December 21 last year, namely bruising and swelling.

The victim did not attend hospital for treatment or provide a victim impact statement to the court.

The court heard how she remained in a relationship with Sheel and did not want a restraining order.

Sheel, of Malvern Crescent, Darlington, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Lee Goodchild, mitigating, said: "This gentleman accepts the issue for him is one of alcohol." Judge Richard Clews told Sheel: "You were, at the time, in a relationship with (the victim), and you are still in a relationship with her.

It's perhaps a little bit surprising she's still with you in the light of the way you behaved but that's a matter for her.

You slapped her to the face twice and we have seen the picture of the injury that was caused - quite an unpleasant injury to her eye." The judge sentenced Sheel to a 12-month community order.

He also ordered him to abide by an alcohol monitoring tag for 60 days.