A DRUG-CRAZED lout who savagely attacked three Good Samaritans who tried to help his stricken girlfriend is starting a prison sentence of more than three years.

Two of Liam Purdy's victims – a mother and daughter – were out socialising with family in Stockton when they were headbutted and slashed by the 35-year-old.

The third woman was a passer-by who went to the aid of the injured duo, prosecutor Rachel Masters told Teesside Crown Court.

When Purdy's then-partner Kelly Harding – who had been unwell through drugs – got to her feet, she joined in and attacked one of the victims.

Harding, 33, of Norton Road, Stockton, admitted affray and was given a two-year community order.

Purdy, of Grange Road, Hartlepool, was jailed for three years and four months after he admitted unlawful wounding, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault.

The court heard that between them, the pair have more than 350 offences on their records – Purdy with 231, and Harding 126.

Harding's barrister, Nigel Soppitt, said: "She was clearly in a terrible state and was being abused by her erstwhile partner, and the public-spirited women took it upon themselves to help her.

"She perceived it in a different way and joined in when she saw what was going on. She had taken drugs."

Purdy claims he cannot remember how the women were injured, and it is not known if it was a piece of metal, blade or lump of glass which caused the wounds.

The mother suffered an 8cm cut along her right cheek, while her daughter had superficial lacerations to her neck and hairline and the passer-by ended up with a throbbing temple and a cut ear and tongue.

All three women said in impact statements that the violence has left them feeling afraid to go to in public.

The mother said her scars have healed better than she feared, but added: "They will always be there to remind me of what happened. I wish we had never crossed paths with these people."

The passer-by said: "He looked like a mad man. The way he was attacking innocent people was disgraceful, and someone like him should not be allowed to walk the streets."

Purdy's lawyer, Nicci Horton, insisted he had not deliberately slashed the women that he must have had something in his hand when he punched them.