A guilt-ridden boyfriend reported himself to the police after he punched his accomplice within the face. Stephen Batchelor, 30, assaulted the sufferer at her house in Walker, whereas kids had been asleep upstairs, earlier than dialling 999 and confessing to "beating her up".
A courtroom heard how the girl was not supportive of a prosecution or urgent costs in opposition to Batchelor, who had struck her "two to 3 instances". Nonetheless, he was nonetheless charged with one rely of assault by beating and pleaded responsible to the offence when he appeared within the dock earlier this week.
He was given a 12-month neighborhood order and should pay £85 prices and a £95 sufferer surcharge. Prosecutor at Newcastle Magistrates' Court docket, Lillian Yanes Hellevik, stated that the assault occurred on March 14, 2022, Chronicle Dwell studies.
She continued: "This can be a case of home violence the place the sufferer was not supportive of a prosecution. The defendant himself made a name to 999 to report he had assaulted his accomplice.
"When officers attended, they might see the sufferer had some accidents. She had an harm to her face and ribs. It was the defendant who known as the police to say there was a home incident together with his accomplice and he had crushed her up."
The courtroom heard that, when interviewed, Batchelor admitted punching the sufferer within the face after snapping. He additionally advised officers he "regretted" it and was remorseful.
Jonathan Cousins, defending, stated the sufferer had assaulted Batchelor first earlier than he retaliated. Mr Cousins added: "Mr Batchelor says what he did went past self-defence.
"If he hadn't phoned the police himself, he won't be within the dock in any respect. He has at all times co-operated with the police."
Do not miss the most recent information from round Scotland and past - Signal as much as our each day e-newsletter right here.