JUDGE LABELS WASHINGTON MAN A 'DRUNKEN THUG' AS HE GETS LAST CHANCE TO AVOID JAIL FOR ATTACKING GIRLFRIEND
A man identified as James Reed has been given a final chance to avoid imprisonment after attacking his girlfriend, according to Newcastle Crown Court.Reed, aged 25, has an extensive criminal record including assaulting police officers—once breaking a police officer’s finger during an altercation—and previous community orders.
He was involved in a series of violent incidents against his partner, with one occasion seeing him throw her into a mirror, breaking it and causing her to lose consciousness by banging her head.
On another occasion, he dragged her around her home, resulting in a leg injury, and caused damage by punching a door hole and breaking a bath panel inside her flat.
The court heard that Reid's violent behavior included throwing the victim into a mirror, leading to her losing consciousness, and dragging her around, which caused injury.
The judge labeled him a "drunken thug" and decided to suspend his six-month prison sentence for 18 months while deferring the sentence on related assault charges.
As part of his probation, Reed must also complete 80 hours of unpaid work, and is required to stay out of trouble, sober, and find employment over the next six months.
His next court appearance is scheduled for March 10 next year.
Reed’s defense argued he was remorseful and had not planned the attacks, but the judge warned him to stop alcohol and drug use and hurting others, warning longer sentences if his behavior persists.
