GLENN ARMSTRONG'S BRUTAL ATTACK IN SPENNYMOOR LEADS TO COURT HEARING

A 37-year-old man named Glenn Armstrong is now facing significant legal repercussions following a violent and disturbing incident in Spennymoor. According to court reports, Armstrong was found armed with a large kitchen knife when he forcibly entered the home of his former partner in the early hours of January 2. The entry was made through a patio door shortly after 3:30 am, marking a frightening breach of security and personal safety for those inside.

Prior to the assault, Armstrong had sent threatening messages to his ex-partner, explicitly stating that he would come armed with "knives, guns and dogs." These ominous warnings underscored the dangerous intent behind his actions. The incident unfolded while the woman’s current male companion was asleep on the sofa downstairs. The noise of a crash suddenly awakened him, prompting immediate concern and alarm. The victim and her partner quickly responded by barricading themselves inside a bedroom, seeking safety and calling the police for help.

Meanwhile, Armstrong began pounding and kicking at the door, shouting that he would not harm them. Despite his claims of non-violence, his aggressive behavior and the fact that he was armed with a weapon painted a different picture. His hostility was evident, and the police arrived shortly thereafter to find him still at the scene. During the arrest, officers discovered a large pink kitchen knife on the landing floor, which was not the victim’s property. It was later confirmed that Armstrong had taken this knife from his mother’s kitchen, indicating premeditation and intent to threaten or harm.

Throughout police questioning, Armstrong chose not to make any comments. However, during a court appearance at Durham Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to charges of harassment and aggravated burglary. He was subsequently remanded in custody at HMP Hull while awaiting sentencing. The prosecutor, Jonathan Gittins, provided context about the troubled history between Armstrong and his ex-partner, noting a pattern of tumultuous relationships, including several breakups and threats of self-harm. The judge described the incident as an act of madness, worsened by Armstrong’s heavy drinking on the day of the offence, which likely contributed to his volatile state.

In court, the defense lawyer pointed out that Armstrong has a relatively clean criminal record, with only a 2014 battery conviction involving a former partner. Despite this, the court sentenced him to 64 months in prison—equivalent to five years and four months—although this was a reduction from the potential maximum of eight years, owing to his guilty plea. Additionally, Armstrong was issued an indefinite restraining order, prohibiting him from contacting or approaching his ex-partner. The judge emphasized the gravity of the threat, especially considering that others were present in the house during the break-in and Armstrong’s unpredictable mood at the time, which served as aggravating factors in the case.