'Dangerous' Hebburn brute dislocated his girlfriend's hip and broke female police officer's finger in shocking attacks

Stephen Brown repeatedly slammed his partner's head onto kitchen work surfaces during a terrifying assault in March, while their toddler was present.

After the violence, the victim, who was unable to walk, saw the 34-year-old cleaning up her blood from the benches as she sat slumped and dazed in the corner.

The attacker then took her outside and left her on a garden chair, where she was able to call for help.

The court heard when the victim was taken to hospital she had a dislocated hip and a wound to her head.

During a second explosion of violence in June, Brown punched and choked a female police officer before twisting her hand until her finger snapped when she tried to arrest him in the street.

Members of the public stepped in to help the policewoman, who believed Brown "meant to kill" when he squeezed her throat, before her colleagues arrived to detain him.

At Newcastle Crown Court Brown, formerly of Parliament Street, Hebburn, has been jailed for three years and four months with a 10-year restraining order to keep him away from his ex.

He admitted causing grievous bodily harm to his now ex-partner and assault on the police officer.

Judge Julie Clemitson told him: "You are, in my opinion, a dangerous offender."

The judge said Brown showed "relatively little regard" for the injuries and distress he caused to his partner, who has now, bravely ended their relationship.

Judge Clemitson said the police officer deserves "enormous credit" and showed "considerable courage" in refusing to let go of Brown until he was arrested, despite the violence and threats she had to endure.

Nick Lane, defending, said Brown "makes no excuses whatsoever" for his behaviour and is "disgusted" by what he did.