Drunken man attacked partner and used see-saw to smash window
David Pearce lost his temper after his partner questioned him for returning home drunk at 7am, Hartlepool Magistrates’ Court heard.
“He was trying to get into bed,” said Paul Power, prosecuting. “An argument started during which Pearce attacked his partner by grabbing her hair and pushing his fingers into her mouth.
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Hide Ad“Her mother was in the house at the time and shouted at him to stop.
“He left the bedroom, punching five holes in the door.
“As he left the house, he threw a child’s plastic see-saw at the front window, smashing both panes.”
Pearce, 29, of Jutland Road, Hartlepool, admitted assault by beating and criminal damage, both on May 3.
The court heard he has previous convictions for aggravated vehicle taking, being drunk and disorderly, and other offences of dishonesty and car crime.
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Hide AdJohn Relton, defending, said in mitigation: “The relationship is due to resume.
“My client’s version of events differs slightly from the prosecution’s.
“He is genuinely remorseful and ashamed of his behaviour that morning.
“He is insistent he is not a man who hits ladies.
“A lengthy conditional discharge would give him the chance to prove that.”
Pearce was given a conditional discharge of two years, and ordered to pay £20 victim surcharge.
The magistrates waived costs of £85 after hearing Pearce is struggling to pay existing fines of £964.