A violent thug left two strangers with cuts, swelling and bruising after punching them in a random street attack in front of their one-year-old child.
The victims were walking near Meadow Well Metro Station with the youngster when they came across Jack Ferguson, who was shouting abuse and throwing cans of lager at a female. A court heard that the 27-year-old soon turned his attention on the couple as they tried to walk away and began making threats.
Ferguson then punched and floored the male victim before hitting the female to the side of her face and the back of her head, prosecutors said. The pair, who managed to get their child's pram out of the way of the attack, suffered a mixture of cuts, bruising and swelling.
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Ferguson, of Kingsbridge Close, in North Shields, was reported to the police and arrested. The thug appeared at North Tyneside Magistrates' Court via video link from HMP Durham this week to plead guilty to two counts of assault by beating. He was jailed for eight weeks.
Prosecutor, Claire Armstrong, said the victims were walking near Meadow Well Metro Station at around 9.30am on May 26 this year. They noticed Ferguson, who appeared to be shouting abuse at a female and throwing cans of lager, further up the street, so crossed over in order to avoid him.
Miss Armstrong told the court: "The defendant came towards them and said "I'm going to do your lad in". He then punched [the male victim], which caused him to fall to the floor. The defendant got on top of [the victim] and they rolled around on the floor.
"[The female victim] managed to pull the defendant off and [the male victim] managed to get to his feet. The defendant jumped up and punched [the female victim] to the right side of her face and to the back of her head. [The male victim] managed to break free and push the child's pram out of the way."
In a statement, the woman said: "I'm traumatised by this incident. I can't believe a stranger could commit such a random attack on our family. This male is a danger to the public and I'm worried it will happen to other people."
The court heard that Ferguson had 22 offences on his record and was soon to be sentenced for a further assault at Newcastle Crown Court. Jack Lovell, defending, said Ferguson had been using his time well since being remanded in custody. Mr Lovell added: "He accepts he was in an argument and had been struggling with his alcohol use.
"He was very much intoxicated at the time. Had he not have been, he would have behaved differently. He wants to apologise for his behaviour. He takes full responsibility and has shown genuine remorse."
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