Hartlepool thug told by judge he has 'one of the worst records' he has seen after reoffending six days after release from prison

The judge told Mark Jeffrey, 26, from Hartlepool, he had one of the worst criminal records for domestic violence that he had seen.

Jeffrey had 72 convictions for 132 offences including nine common assaults on the woman, six offences of battery against her, and one for assaulting a police officer.

Last July he was jailed for 20 weeks for common assault and battery on her.

When he was released from prison on September 6 she met him at the gates and her nightmare began all over again, Teesside Crown Court was told.

They first met in 2016 and Jeffrey repeatedly beat her up as he demanded money for drugs and he accused her of sleeping with somebody else, said prosecutor Victoria Lamballe.

He was arrested after six days of freedom on September 12 saying it was all lies, added Ms Lamballe.

But he pleaded guilty on the day of his trial and he appeared for sentence over a videolink from Durham Jail.

Only the judge and court officials and press were at the hearing and Ms Lamballe and his defence barrister were on voice links.

Daniel Penman, defending, said that Jeffrey also had mental problems and he had been in and out of trouble since he was 12.

Mr Penman added: “The pre-sentence report does not make happy reading.

”He has had a drug habit for some time. He has struggled to obtain accommodation largely because of his involvement with drugs.”

The judge rebuked Jeffrey for his outbursts during the case and he threatened to block him from the proceedings if he did not behave.

Judge Paul Watson QC told him: “You have one of the worst records for a case of this kind that I have seen.

”She came to meet you when you were released from prison in September last year.

”It has been characteristic of her life in previous years that she has been subjected to violence by you.

”Given your record and the fact that these offences were committed so soon after your release, I take the view that it is appropriate to move outside the guideline for these offences.”

Jeffrey, of the Stockton Bail Hostel after his release, and formerly of Glamis Walk, Hartlepool, was jailed for 14 months after he pleaded guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour.

He was also given a three year restraining order banning him from contacting her.