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National
Rob Kennedy

Benwell thug attacked girlfriend after telling her: 'God has presented me to batter you'

A violent thug who told his partner "God has presented me to batter you" and threatened to kill her son has been locked up for attacking her.

Christopher Jones already had a long record for violence when he turned his fists on the woman. Police were called to an ongoing domestic incident in Benwell, Newcastle, on Mary 2 this year and saw the victim crying and with fresh injuries, including a cut nose and grazed cheek.

She claimed she sustained them from falling up the stairs but CCTV revealed the truth of what happened. It showed him pursuing her and punching and pushing her, knocking her to the ground then dragging her back to the building and delivering a headbutt.

Read more: Cheeky thug bares bottom to judge after being jailed for threatening to kill probation officers

A man then came to the doorway and Jones punched him five or six times. When Jones was interviewed, he denied attacking the woman, saying they were in love and everything was fine.

Newcastle Crown Court heard he has 66 previous convictions, including several assaults, attempted rape and robbery. He was subject to a community order at the time on the same partner. In that offence, he told her: "God has presented me to batter you for the next four years" then punched her in the face. He went on to threaten to push her son under a bus and kill him then assaulted her again.

Jones, of St John's Court, Benwell, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and assault by beating. For that and breaching two previous community orders, he was jailed for two years.

Judge Penny Moreland told him: "She was vulnerable, a lone woman at night and this was a persistent assault. You have a dreadful record for violence."

Christopher Knox, defending, said Jones had a "terrible drug habit" and added: "The relationship has been disastrous for both of them. He recognises, for both of them, their relationship must end." The court heard he had a difficult childhood, and his drug misuse caused mental health difficulties.

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