Serial woman abuser walks free from court after latest South Tyneside attack
South Tyneside attack on woman by serial offender in ‘toxic’ relationship - but perpetrator walks free.
A serial woman abuser who left another partner injured in an attack during their "toxic" relationship has walked free from court.
Stephen Christie already had a criminal record for domestic violence on women when he assaulted his latest victim in South Tyneside last November and left her with facial injuries.
Newcastle Crown Court heard Christie was initially charged with three assaults on her but after she withdrew support for the prosecution he admitted just one attack.
‘Made me feel small and scared’
Prosecutor Saba Shan said the victim had originally said: "He made me feel small and scared.
"I wish I knew more about him before I met him."
The court heard the case against Christie relied on a six-minute 999 call made by the victim on the night she was attacked as well as what police saw when they arrived at the scene.
Miss Shan said the violence happened at the victim's home and described the emergency call, saying: "She repeatedly states she's bleeding and refers to her head and face and when asked by the operator what has happened she refers to pizza being in the air and the defendant smashing it all over her face."
‘Beat me up’ when he was drunk
Miss Shan said the victim told the operator Christie had "beat me up" and said he was drunk.
When police arrived at the house they saw "a lot of empty cans in the kitchen and on the stairs".
Christie, 62, of Twelfth Avenue, Blyth, Northumberland, admitted assault.
The court heard he has 25 convictions on his record, all committed in Scotland and include domestic offences against his ex-wife and another former partner he was with for just a matter of months.
Miss Shan said: "His record relates to multiple offences of assault, stalking, breaching a non-harassment order and threatening or abusive behaviour."
Robin Turton, defending, said Christie is an intelligent man who had no offences on his record until he was in his 50s, when his marriage broke down and he turned to drink.
Mr Turton added: "His long term intention is to return to Scotland."
Judge Robert Adams sentenced Christie, who has served four-and-a-half months behind bars on remand, to 13 months suspended for 18 months with rehabilitation requirements.
The judge said Christie poses a low risk of general offending but is a "high risk of spousal assault".