A man considered a “dangerous” offender after an unprovoked pub attack in 2018, is back behind bars after a series of assaults on his partner earlier this year.

Samuel Amos was released from his previous sentence on licence in January and became involved in a relationship with a former partner, with whom he had resumed contact while in prison.

But by March he was recalled to prison to serve the unserved part of his previous sentence, which is not due to expire until March 2024.

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Durham Crown Court was told that was because of several assaults alleged to have been committed by Amos on his partner in the weeks after his release from prison.

Rebecca Brown, prosecuting said they included kicking the woman in the ribs, resulting in her suffering prolonged pain, twice head butting her, causing bruising and black eyes, hitting her with a games console on the back of the head, leading to a lump forming, plus striking her nose with a back-hand punch, causing bleeding, as she was on her hands and knees cleaning the bathroom.

He also threw a tv set to the floor in her bedroom, leaving it damaged beyond repair.

Miss Brown said the victim sent a message to a friend after the final assault, on March 3, saying: “I’m frightened to death of Sam,” adding, “enough is enough”, before contacting police.

She was found to have bruising to her eyes, the bridge of her nose, plus to her arms and legs.

Miss Brown said as a result of the offending she left her home and said she did not feel safe to return.

The 29-year-old defendant, of Constantine Road, North Bitchburn, near Crook, was found guilty of three counts of assault causing actual bodily harm, two of assault by beating and one of criminal damage, after a trial before magistrates on April 25.

His subsequent appeal against that conviction was dismissed at the crown court by Judge James Adkin, sitting with a magistrate, on July 26.

The judge adjourned sentence for a probation report and updated assessment of the dangerousness of the defendant.

Jonathan Harley, for Amos, said the defendant found it, “difficult” listening to the outline of the case, “with which he so fundamentally disagrees.”

Mr Harley said: “He simply feels strongly at what he was listening to.

“He does accept these are issues that have been ventilated in two courts now and they have found against him.”

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Mr Harley said the defendant has tried to address his excessive drinking, the trigger for many of his previous offences, engaging in alcohol treatment assistance during previous stints in custody.

Judge Adkin said the latest offences, “represent a disturbing catalogue of misogynistic bullying of this woman”, with an element of “gratuitous degradation” caused in committing the offences.

He told Amos: “You ill-advisedly fought this case twice and lost.”

The judge said he had, “no hesitation” in finding Amos a dangerous offender, particularly to female partners, and, if anything, the risk he poses has increased since his previous offending.

He imposed an extended determinate sentence with a three-year custodial element, of which Amos must serve at least two years before he can be considered for release by the Parole Board.

Upon his release he will be subject to an extended two-year licence period.

A restraining order put in place by the judge forbids him from contacting or approaching the victim, “until further order”.

Read next:

               Crook man threatened to 'petrol bomb' police officer's home

               Crook dad carried out 'revenge' beating on daughter's ex-partner

               Attack near County Durham school as children arrived for the day

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