Violent Aycliffe thug left his partner with punctured lung

Gordon Nicholson kicked his partner in the back after she ran out of money for more booze and drugs, a court heard.

The 38-year-old then pinned her to the ground and strangled her before asking a passerby for a knife to ‘stab her up’.

Katis Spence, prosecuting, said the victim was left with a punctured lung, a laceration to her liver and broken ribs as a result of the attack.

“They had been drinking all day and when she reached her financial limit, the defendant began to demand she provided more cash,” she said.

“He picked her up and expelled her from the house. She was passed her bag and began to walk away. She then felt a powerful blow to her right side before she collapsed to the ground.”

“She believed this was a kick and she was in agony.”

Gordon Nicholson (Image: Durham Constabulary)

Miss Spence said Nicholson continued demanding money before getting on top of the victim and choking her.

“She knew something was wrong and told the defendant that she could not breathe,” she added.

Nicholson then asked a passer-by for a knife to ‘stab her up’, the court heard.

Nicholson, of Rowan Place, Newton Aycliffe, pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm and strangulation after the attack on March 23 this year.

Defence lawyer Penny Hall said Nicholson had struggled with drink, drugs and his mental health before the assault.

She said: “It seems both parties were drinking and taking drugs together – he cannot remember a great deal.”

Judge Deborah Sherwin jailed Nicholson for 41 months for both offences after hearing the victim spent more than nine days in hospital.

“You have an appalling record for violence leading up to this point,” she said.