Yahoo News 'Wide-eyed' Eston dad headbutted, spat at and tried to bite ex's nose in street attack
A dad carried out a "terrifying" street attack on his ex partner.
Eston thug Lewis Lane punched, kicked, headbutted and spat at the woman in broad daylight after she arrived at his home to pick up their child, Teesside Crown Court heard. Prosecuting the case, Jenny Haigh said the man was swearing at the woman demanding money as he struck her in the face leaving her with bruising.
The attack took place at around 10.50am on April 19, outside his home on Nightingale Road, following an argument over money.
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The prosecutor said the mum headed to Lane's home to pick up their child but felt "uncomfortable" and "worried" following the argument so took an associate. The court heard on arrival the defendant appeared "pleasant" however, moments later he changed.
Ms Haigh said: "His eyes went wide, he seemed angry. He stormed over to the passenger side of the car where she was sitting. He told her "you're f***** now" and went to punch her. He missed her and she managed to stand up. He was shouting at her "give me my f****** money" and "I want my f****** money". He then spat at her which hit her in the face. His face was scrunched up and he tried to bite her nose."
The court heard Lane then headbutted the woman, leaving her in "shock". She was shouting at him to stop and telling him she didn't owe him money. A witness rang the police and their two-year-old child could be heard screaming in the background. He punched the victim in the jaw before she pushed him and tried to punch him back.
The prosecutor said: "He then grabbed her by the arm and dragged her to the floor. He kicked her in the face with his right foot and then kicked her in the ribs preventing her from getting up. He punched her in the face again knocking her glasses off. He hit her to the left side of the face."
The court heard the woman was left with pain in her jaw and struggled to move her right arm. In a victim impact statement, she said: "The incident has caused me to be scared to be out of the house alone, knowing that Lewis lives in the same area as me. I'm scared what he would do if he saw me. He did this in the street outside his house during the day I couldn't believe someone could be so aggressive and angry.
"I've got bruising to my face from being kicked and headbutted it's caused me to feel self conscious. He damaged my glasses, he kicked me, punched me, headbutted me, it not only scared me but also knocked my confidence."
The defendant - who has seven convictions for eight offences - pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage. In mitigation, his barrister Michele Turner said he admitted the offences and accepts it was a "terrifying" attack. She said while in custody on remand he has been drug free and is capable of rehabilitation.
Lane, 34, was handed an 18-month prison sentence suspended for two years. He must comply with a 12-month drug rehabilitation requirement, 200 hours unpaid work, 30 rehabilitation activity requirements days and 30 sessions of the Building Better Relationships Programme. He was also made subject of a restraining order.
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