A man has been jailed after throwing a half-brick at his former partner in anger, having earlier apparently bitten her in a row.

Durham Crown Court heard that Daniel Littlewood is said to have left what seemed to have been bite marks on the woman’s face in a drink or drug-fuelled argument, at her home in Ferryhill, on Sunday March 13.

As a parting shot, as he left, he is said to have thrown a half-brick in her direction, resulting in an injury.

Days earlier Littlewood is said to have thrown the woman’s mobile phone at her television set, damaging both.

The 36-year-old defendant, of Darlington Road, Ferryhill, denied a charge of wounding/inflicting grievous bodily harm at a plea hearing at the court, in April.

Kristina Goodwin, for the defendant, told that hearing he maintained that he threw the half-brick in his then partner’s direction, but he claimed he did not know she was there.

The case was adjourned for a trial to be heard at the court this week.

But on his return to court, a new count of assault causing actual bodily harm was put to Littlewood, who pleaded guilty.

This was considered acceptable by the prosecution and so Recorder Jamie Hill formally returned a not guilty verdict on the previous grievous bodily harm charge.

Littlewood also admitted two counts of criminal damage, relating to the mobile phone and tv.

Read more: Teenager banned from parts of Ferryhill after burglary and arson charges

Allan Armbrister, prosecuting, told the court the couple were in what appeared to have been a “volatile” relationship for about a year, following Littlewood’s split with a previous partner, who he was convicted of harassing, in 2020.

Mr Armbrister said after the pair had taken either a lot of drink or drugs on March 13, a row developed which turned violent.

The police were called and Littlewood’s partner was spoken to, but Mr Armbrister said she has not engaged with the investigation since and did not give a formal statement.

It meant the prosecution had to rely on evidence of her emergency call and what was said in the immediate aftermath.

But Mr Armbrister said it appeared that she had been bitten at some point, due to marks on her face.

It was after the defendant then left the house that he threw what appeared to have been a half-brick and a mix of concrete towards the end of his partner’s house, striking her on the hand.

The court heard that Littlewood claimed to have been protecting himself during the initial incident and said in interview he threw the brick out of anger.

Mr Armbrister said there was no medical evidence to rely on over the woman’s injuries.

Ms Goodwin, for Littlewood, who was in custody for several months after the incident, said he has had physical and mental health issues which he has been starting to address.

She said he should receive credit for the guilty plea, on a charge previously not on the table.

Recorder Hill said it was difficult to know exactly what took place prior to and during the incident, but he said the relationship appeared to have been, “turning toxic” and, “events got incredibly out of hand.”

He imposed a 26-week prison sentence, which could lead to the defendant’s swift release due to time served on remand.

Littlewood was also ordered to pay a £156 statutory surcharge.

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