County Durham thug screwed front door shut 'to keep police out' before attacking woman

A man who screwed a front door shut before attacking a woman has been jailed.

Danny Oxley, 32, had spent the evening drinking with the woman in Darlington before heading back to her flat where he screwed the front door shut, claiming it was "to keep police out". After an argument broke out, he grabbed the woman around her neck as she tried to escape and launched himself at her, causing her to hit her head against a wall.

The attack happened three days after Oxley was arrested following reports of a domestic incident, during which he kicked a police officer in the stomach as they detained him. Oxley was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assaulting an emergency worker.

• Read more: County Durham scrap collector ran illegal waste site and burned waste on the land

• Keep up to date with all the latest local news from County Durham with our free newsletter

He was also charged with possession of a bladed article and using threatening words or behaviour following an incident in which he threatened to kill his neighbours on Barden Moor Road, in Darlington, on September 3, 2023. Oxley pleaded guilty to all offences when he appeared via video link at Teesside Crown Court on Tuesday, May 7.

He was jailed for two years and eight months. Oxley was also made subject of a restraining order, preventing him from contacting the woman for ten years.

Durham Constabulary advised anyone suffering domestic abuse to call 101 or 999 if in immediate danger, or to make a report online at www.durham.police.uk.

The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is available 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247. The local service, Harbour, is also available 24 hours a day on 03000 20 25 25. The above services support both men and women.