A man armed himself with a metal pole and punched a teenager in the face before assaulting the boy's mother during a street altercation.
Michael Cummings assaulted the 14-year-old boy and woman on October 6 this year following a disturbance which involved his partner. The 37-year-old punched the boy in the face before returning a short time later armed with a metal pole and began dishing out threats before unintentionally hitting the boy's mum with the weapon.
Cummings, of Dudden Place, Gateshead, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on Friday to be sentenced for possession of an offensive weapon, two common assaults and a public order offence. He had pleaded guilty to the offences.
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Jane Foley, prosecuting, said Cummings was living with his partner and their child in Gateshead and at some point during the day, his partner was involved in a fight in the street with another woman. Cummings then went outside to help his partner and was "acting defensively" as his child was also outside.
But as he tried to get his partner and child to return home, a 14-year-old boy - who was there in support of the woman Cummings' partner was arguing with - became involved. It was then that Cummings grabbed the teen's bag, pulling him to the floor, before punching him to the face.
Ms Foley said Cummings left the teenage boy with grazes and injuries to his jaw. In a victim statement, the boy said he was terrified during the incident and said he thought he was going to die at one point. Cummings later returned to the street with a metal pole after others had assembled at the scene.
Ms Foley said: "A witness who was visiting her mum at around 5.30pm said she heard shouting outside and went to see what was happening. She saw the defendant running out of the home while carrying a white, metal pole."
The court heard that the boy's mother, who was also at the scene, was struck with the pole on her hand, but the strike was said to be a "reckless rather than intentional blow", and caused "immediate pain but no injury". Cummings, who was said to be "in a rage" could also be heard shouting threats, saying "I'm going to f****** kill you" to those standing around during the incident.
The court was told that Cummings was also subjected to threats during the incident, with one person suggesting using a hammer to "smash his jaw". Threats regarding a "petrol bomb" were also made and Cummings had a bike thrown at his shoulder, and was also punched. He later said he returned to the scene with a metal pole in order to "scare the group" that had gathered.
Rachel Hedworth, defending, said that Cummings pleaded guilty on a basis that he was attempting to support his partner and child during the incident. The court heard that he had a history of "anxiety and depression", was abstinent from drugs and alcohol and was at a low risk of reoffending.
Cummings, who had two previous convictions for three offences, was given a 12 month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months and was ordered to carry out 30 rehabilitation days.
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