A WOMAN rang 999 in a state of panic having been assaulted by her partner and thrown out of his home wearing only pyjamas, a court heard.

But as the injured and distressed woman, who had a bloodied mouth, was so fearful of her partner, Robert Mason, she refused to name him or make a complaint over his behaviour.

Durham Crown Court heard the emergency call was made by the victim shortly after 10.50pm on October 26, last year.

Elizabeth Muir, prosecuting, said the caller, who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, was in a distressed state, but would not say what had upset her.

She went on to say she had been assaulted by her partner but would not give his name and address and she told the call handler he would kill her if he knew she had phoned the police.

Miss Muir said the caller was told to remain in situ, outside a pub in Shildon, where she was found by an officer on mobile patrol.

She had a swollen, bloodied mouth and nose, and, while she had no front teeth, she denied that was caused that night, but on a previous occasion, although there was one other tooth which was left “wobbly”, in the latest incident.

Miss Muir said the woman told the officer she had been assaulted by her partner and left in her pyjamas.

The victim was asked to get into the vehicle to be taken to Bishop Auckland Police Station, where she remained in a fearful state and did not want the officers to photograph her injuries.

Miss Muir said the woman was spoken to, again, the following day after her discharge from hospital, “when sober”.

She told police she had a row with her partner who, “went berserk”.

Asked about a swollen knee from which she was suffering, she said that was caused by her partner pushing her and dragging her around.

It meant she was unable to bend or straighten her knee, while she also had strangulation marks round her neck.

Read more: Figures show North East's rise in domestic abuse cases

Although she would not reveal her partner’s name or home location, it was found as police had responded to a previous incident at that address in 2020.

Despite her begging them not to go there, officers did attend and arrested Mason, who admitted being in possession of a knuckleduster when he was taken to the police station.

He presented a prepared statement to police when interviewed, denying assaulting or threatening his partner, although he accepted pushing her.

But, the 44-year-old defendant, of Freville Street, Shildon, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and possessing an offensive weapon when he first appeared before magistrates.

The court heard he has 14 convictions for 22 offences, including past incidents of violence.

Simon Perkins, for Mason, said despite that record, the defendant has never previously served a prison sentence, but he conceded it was, “a bad incident”.

Imposing a 16-month prison sentence, Judge Ray Singh described it as, “a thoroughly unpleasant incident”.

But as the victim has confirmed she was not seeking a restraining order, no such prohibition was put in place.

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