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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Antony Thrower & David Huntley

Woman felt 'permanently disfigured' after tooth knocked out by partner in violent attacks

A woman whose partner knocked out a tooth and injured her back in a violent attack said she felt “permanently disfigured” by his actions.

Shaun Moule, 42, also stamped on her body and kicked her in the face during a second attack.

He had also been preparing to hit her with a large glass ornament before police arrived and arrested him.

Moules, of Elswick, Newcastle, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court via video link from HMP Durham on Tuesday to be sentenced for two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He had pleaded guilty to both offences.

The court heard Moules had been in a relationship with the victim for about seven years when the first assault was carried out in December, ChronicleLive reported.

Judge Sarah Mallett, said: "You started berating her and calling her abusive names and making accusations.

“She asked you to leave and she went to bed, but you followed her and used a key to cause a scratch on her back. You then punched her and she can't remember what happened after.”

The court heard they had broken up when the second assault took place (NCJ Media)

The woman managed to get downstairs and called her mum, who called the police.

When police arrived, the woman was found with "nasty injuries", including abrasions to her back, a cut on the bridge of her nose and a tooth had been knocked out.

In a victim statement, the woman said she was left feeling "vulnerable, scared and terrified" as well as feeling "permanently disfigured" by the loss of her tooth and the injuries caused to her back.

Moules was later released on bail but offended again on July 4 last year.

Prosecutor Vincent Ward said there was an "established pattern of violence" against the woman.

In the second incident Moules, who was no longer in a relationship with the woman, had gone to the flat of a mutual friend and was drinking alcohol.

He then persuaded the friend to invite the woman over. When she arrived, Moules hid in a bedroom before surprising her.

Judge Mallett said at first there was a "good mood" between everyone, but it wasn't long before Moules turned aggressive once again.

She said: "After more alcohol you gradually became more aggressive and abusive to her, accusing her of infidelity. An assault then took place.

"You stamped on her head twice with a lot of force and you were heard to say you were going to kill her."

Moules backhanded the woman, tore her pyjamas off, kicked her in the face and stamped on her body throughout the attack which lasted around 20 minutes before police arrived.

The court heard Moules was about to hit the woman with a "large glass ornament" when officers stormed in.

Richard Herrmann, defending, said Moules had not planned to attack the woman in the second incident and said he wanted to apologise for his actions.

Reading a letter out to the judge, Moules said: "I am deeply sorry for the pain and hurt caused to her and her family.

“I am ashamed and express complete remorse for my wrongdoing and understand the need for punishment."

Judge Mallett passed an extended prison sentence of five years, four years of which will be custodial. A 10-year restraining order was also imposed.

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