Fawdon domestic abuser dragged partner along floor by hair and grabbed throat in New Year attack

A domestic violence thug dragged his partner along the floor by the hair and grabbed her throat in the early hours of New Year's Day.

The victim had been in an on-off relationship with Jonathan Cox for around three years at the time of the offence. Kevin Wardlaw, prosecuting, said: "She said the first two years were good but it changed during the last year due to the inability of the defendant to control his temper."

In the early hours of New Year's Day 2023, they were at the home of another couple, who had an argument. Cox became involved in the row and was aggressive to the couple and to his partner, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Mr Wardlaw said: "He grabbed her by the hair and pulled her around by the hair while she was on the floor. The other couple became involved and the assault stopped.

"He then walked over to the complainant who was on a kitchen bench and grabbed her by the throat with both hands with sufficient force to cause her to fall off the bench. She initially said she was caused to lose consciousness but she later said she may not have totally lost consciousness, but there's a short period of time about which she has no recollection."

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Cox, 27, of Mapledene Road, Fawdon, Newcastle, has four previous convictions, including for battery and criminal damage in 2016 and for GBH and criminal damage in 2019, for which he got a suspended prison sentence for punching his then-partner to the head, causing a fractured jaw.

For the latest offences, he was originally charged with strangulation but prosecutors accepted guilty pleas to two counts of assault by beating. He was sentenced to 21 weeks suspended for 18 months and must do a domestic abuse programme and be subject to an alcohol abstinence monitoring programme for 120 days.

Jessica Slaughter, defending, said Cox has been working long hours in new employment as a bricklayer and is focusing on his fitness. She said: "He has not been drinking for around seven months now. Clearly alcohol has been an issue for him in the past and it's something he is keen to deal with." The court heard he is remorseful for his offending and the court was provided with character references.

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