THOMAS ELDRED

WORKINGTON MAN HANDED SUSPENDED PRISON FOR SECOND HEADBUTT ATTACK ON PARTNER

A furious Workington man, Thomas Eldred, 41, dragged his partner of nine years into a bedroom before headbutting her so forcefully that she saw stars.

Originally charged with controlling and coercive behavior, Eldred was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court for assaulting the woman and causing her actual bodily harm.

Prosecutor Michael O’Brien described how the violence occurred on the morning of March 11, 2022, after Eldred followed his partner upstairs, grabbed her by the neck, and dragged her into another room.

He then read her mobile phone messages and questioned what she had told others about him before leaning over her on the bed and headbutting her in the face, causing her to see stars and develop a lump on her forehead.

She perceived his comment, 'I didn’t mean to do that to you,' as sarcasm rather than an apology.

Following his arrest, Eldred refused to answer questions, and the court did not issue a restraining order.

His previous assault on the same woman in 2014 involved a similar headbutt.

Eldred's defense highlighted his troubled background, and the judge acknowledged the severity of the assault and his unhealthy attitude towards others.

Eldred was sentenced to a ten-month jail term, suspended for two years, and ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work, 15 rehabilitation days, and attend a Building Better Relationships course.

The charge of controlling and coercive behavior was left on file.