Byker brute strangled his loving partner with look of 'complete rage and venom in his eyes'

A brute strangled his loving partner with a look of "complete rage and venom in his eyes" during a series of attacks which left her "broken".

All the woman had ever given Ryan Grundy was her love and support as he battled mental health and drug abuse demons. But he repaid her kindness and dedication with a series of violent attacks.

During one of them, he gripped her neck so tightly she feared he was going to kill her. As Grundy, 35, of Shields Road, Byker, Newcastle, was given a prison sentence at Newcastle Crown Court which will result in his immediate release due to the time he has served on remand, the woman bravely went in the witness box to tell her story of how his abuse has affected her.

She said she "loved this man more than anyone on the earth" and added: "The connection we had was unbreakable, he was my best friend. I was by his side and in his corner while he was in drug and alcohol treatment. I so desperately wanted to save him."

However, referring to the incident where he strangled her, she said: "I genuinely thought he was going to kill me. I remember it today as freshly as when it happened.

"Not being able to breathe properly with both hands gripped tightly around my neck, a look of complete rage and venom in his eyes. No-one has the right to strangle or petrify me in my own home."

The woman said she was left unable to sleep properly and is scared by sudden noises and is left fearing Grundy or someone on his behalf is there to carry out threats he made.

She added: "All I want is to feel safe again. I don't think I will ever trust anyone again. This has totally broken me from the inside out.

"I have nightmares and flashbacks. Nightmares of what could happen to me if he sought revenge like he has threatened.

"I don't think I will ever understand why he did this to me. I constantly question what I did to deserve this."

She said she "believe the Ryan I know and love is still in there" and that she hopes he gets the help and support he needs. She added: "I truly hope he has listened to every word I'm saying. I'm not doing this out of malice but because it's the only opportunity I have to say how this has affected me without anyone arguing back at me."

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The court heard that on August 10 2022, Grundy and the victim argued while at home in Lemington, Newcastle and he slapped her once in the face, leaving her sore. She asked him to leave and he did but the following day, he was back and they rowed about what had happened the previous day.

He ended up forcefully pushing her on the bed and put both hands around her neck, preventing her from breathing. Neil Jones, prosecuting, said: "She thought this lasted about 30 seconds and she felt the weight of his full body upon her and felt herself to be in danger. She managed, just, to fight him off."

At the time, the woman did not report either of those attacks and Grundy promised he would change his ways and she believed him and wanted to help him. However on October 4 2022, he attacked her again, throwing her to the floor.

On July 25 2023, he then assaulted her again, headbutting her and slapping her. She was left with a lump on her forehead. She tried to escape from him as he followed her around the house trying to stop her calling the police. She messaged a neighbour to call the police and Grundy then put a knife to his own neck, which she tried to remove.

Between November 2023 and December 30 2023, he then harassed her by sending repeated pleading emails, including over the Christmas period, despite her telling him to stop.

Grundy pleaded guilty to non-fatal strangulation, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, harassment and two common assaults. Judge Robert Adams sentenced him to 14 months but he was told he will be released as he is time-served on remand. He was also given a five year restraining order.

The court heard Grundy previously worked as an aircraft engineer but felt into drug addiction due to trauma. He had a heart attack in 2019 due to his continued use of cocaine and he has mental health issues and has spent time in a psychiatric hospital. He was said to be remorseful for his offending.

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