A man who was "spoiling for a fight" ended up gouging his partner's eyes during a violent attack while holidaying in a caravan.
David Riddell carried out the brutal attack on his partner in April last year and left her with bruising to her eyes and a broken nose. The 35-year-old then carried out another offence that September when he kicked in the woman's front door while shouting "horrific things" after a night of heavy drinking.
Riddell, of North Road, Catchgate, Annfield Plain, Stanley, appeared at Durham Crown Court to be sentenced for assault and criminal damage. He had pleaded guilty to the offences.
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Lewis Kerr, prosecuting, said the couple had been together "some time" when they went on a caravan holiday and an argument began "through drink". He said: "The complainant said the defendant was wanting to drink more. He was standing up and sitting down restlessly in a way in which he was spoiling for a fight."
It was then that Riddell jumped on top of the woman and began attacking her. Mr Kerr said: "He had his legs over her waist and he pushed both thumbs into both eye sockets to gouge out her eyes. It caused bad bruising to her eyes." The court heard that after the attack, the woman had to stay inside the caravan for the remainder of the holiday due to her visible injuries. When they returned home after a week, the woman - whose eyes were still swollen - went to the doctors and was told she had a broken nose.
Months later, in September last year, the pair had been drinking before an "annoyed" Riddell went out. Mr Kerr said the woman lay in bed "worrying" about his return and had locked the door. He finally did return in the early hours of the morning and began "kicking the front door and shouting through the letterbox". The court heard he was "shouting horrific things" and demanding to be let in before the police were called. Mr Kerr said that Riddell had been kicking the front door so hard, the frame came away and plaster had fallen from the wall.
The court heard Riddell had 22 previous convictions for 34 offences, including a conviction for attacking a person and threatening to stab them in the head.
Mark Styles, defending Riddell, said the couple's relationship was "turbulent and toxic" and that they had been together around five years. He said the couple are still together and that Riddell has "difficulties with drink".
Sentencing Riddell, Judge Jo Kidd said Riddell's behaviour was "revolting" and "persisted with". She said: "For reasons which are not clear to me, the complainant chooses to still be in a relationship with you. The pictures of her injuries are horrifying, you could have blinded her."
Riddell was given a 13 month prison sentence, suspended for two years and must complete 30 rehabilitation days and 200 hours community service.
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