Newcastle dad fractured partner's skull after throwing…

Newcastle dad fractured partner's skull after throwing aftershave bottle during row

A dad fractured his partner's skull after throwing an aftershave bottle during an argument.

Leigh Ravie turned violent when his then-partner accepted a Facebook friend request from someone who "did not approve of him". An argument began before the 33-year-old picked up an aftershave bottle and threw it at a wall, but ended up hitting her directly in the head. The impact caused a hairline fracture to the woman's skull and left her with a black eye and nerve damage to her ear.

As the woman pleaded for help, Ravie, who carried out the incident while on bail for a driving matter, left the property but was later arrested. He subsequently pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm on the basis he threw the bottle in "frustration" at a wall where she was standing.

On Tuesday, Ravie, of Colnbrook Close, Kingston Park, appeared at Newcastle's Moot Hall via link from HMP Durham to be sentenced for the offence. He received a suspended sentence.

The court heard that Ravie and the woman had been in a relationship for around three years and had a child together, and on June 14 this year, the then-couple were drinking at her Newcastle home. Anthony Pettengell, prosecuting, told the court that during the evening an argument broke out. He said: "There was an argument over a historic family feud and the defendant got angry after she accepted a Facebook friend request from a family member who disapproved of him."

The woman then went up to bed and Ravie gave her a hug, saying it would be the last one she ever had, which was a reference to them breaking up, the court heard. But the argument continued, and at one point Ravie was on top of the woman whilst "shouting" at her.

Mr Pettengell said: "He picked up an aftershave bottle and threw it in frustration at a wall where she was, causing a hairline fracture to her skull after it hit her. There was swelling and a lot of blood before she dragged herself out of the bedroom and called 999. She was dipping in and out of consciousness."

The court heard the woman was "pleading for help" and vomited blood before Ravie again shouted at her and left the home. When emergency services arrived, the woman was found lying naked on her landing. Around 10 minutes after the incident, Ravie sent the woman a voice note saying: "I threw an aftershave bottle and smashed her f****** lug". He was later arrested and admitted what he'd done in his second police interview.

In a victim statement, the woman said she was left with nerve damage to her ear and spent six days in a major trauma ward at the Royal Victoria Infirmary. She was unable to work for four weeks and suffered daily headaches and anxiety, but has since made a recovery.

The court heard Ravie had 13 previous convictions for 18 offences, including a violent offence in 2011. He was also on bail at the time of the June offence for driving under the influence.

Sue Hirst, defending, said Ravie had spent six months on remand and asked the judge to impose a community order after giving him full credit for his guilty plea. She said Ravie was a "very close and devoted father" who had worked as a tree surgeon. Ms Hirst added: "He is apologetic, it was unintentional".

Sentencing Ravie, Judge Sarah Mallet said: "An argument began and at one point you were on top of her. You picked up an aftershave bottle and threw it at a wall next to her. It hit her directly, causing a hairline fracture to her skull...you knew how badly hurt she was when you left the premises."

Ravie was given an 18 month prison sentence, suspended for two years and must complete up to 20 rehabilitation days and a building better relationships programme. He must also complete 100 hours unpaid work and pay £1,000 compensation. A three-year restraining order was also made.

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