Dad warned he could face jail after choking ex-girlfriend and shoving her in path of moving car

A dad-of-two could be jailed for choking his former girlfriend during a Metro ride and pushing her in front of a moving car.
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Kevin Newton, 22, grabbed the woman by the throat and pushed her against a seat before flinging her to the floor as they travelled between South Shields and Jarrow.

Newton, of Ecgfrid Terrace, Jarrow, then put his hands around her neck and throttled her to the point of unconsciousness.

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Metro staff tried to ward Newton off by telling him over the communications system that his actions were being recorded on CCTV.

The case was heard at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court.The case was heard at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court.
The case was heard at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court.

But soon after alighting at Jarrow, Newton, who was drunk and had taken drugs, shoved her in front of a car which had to swerve away.

He then threatened the female driver, who warned him she would call police, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard.

Prosecutor Grace Taylor said the couple were together for six years and had two children but had split months before the incident on Saturday, March 20.

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She added: “She was in her bedroom and getting ready for bed when the defendant turned up outside and began banging on the door.

“He said that he felt suicidal and needed her help. She offered to take him home and they walked to the Metro.

“They got on, but they started to argue. He grabbed her throat and pushed her against a seat.

“He threw her to the ground and choked her until she almost lost consciousness.”

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Ms Taylor said Newton repeatedly asked the woman to stay the night with him but pushed her in front of the car when she refused.

The court heard Newton, who has four previous convictions from six offences but none for violence, ran off but was found by police and arrested.

He pleaded guilty to two charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Michael Robinson, defending, said: “There’s no excuse, none whatsoever, for the behaviour of this defendant.

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“He did feel suicidal, he was looking for comfort. Then there was the bizarre behaviour of him towards the person of whom he had sought help.”

Deputy District Judge Paul Conlon said Newton’s offences, which each carry a starting point of 18 months in jail, were so serious he must be sentenced at the crown court.

The hearing is due to be on Friday, January 15.

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