A MAN who assaulted his girlfriend at her mobile home has been handed a 16-month prison sentence.

Sean Hudspith (26) of Bellingham, was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday, after pleading guilty to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The court heard that Hudspith had been involved in an abusive and violent relationship with the woman for four months, before the incident occurred at a caravan at Hareshaw Linn Caravan Park.

The court was told that on August 23, both had been drinking in Bellingham before returning to the caravan.

Hudpsith became aggressive and attacked his girlfriend with a ceramic bowl, smashing it over her head before wounding her in the hand with a shard of the bowl.

Hudspith initially prevented her from leaving, but she was able to escape when she said she was going to use the toilet. However, she returned and spent the night with him.

The next morning, he was abusive again, demanding she clean the mess whilst slapping and kicking her.

The court heard Hudspith told his girlfriend: “I will do something to you that will maim you for life, or I will kill you.”

However, the court was also told that Hudspith suffered from mental health issues and had experienced a difficult childhood and adolescence.

Judge Nicholas Lumley sentenced Hudspith to 16 months in prison, and ordered him to pay the victim £1,000 in compensation.

He was also given a restraining order, preventing him from contacting the victim in any way or from being within 200 metres of her address.

Sentencing, Mr Lumley said: “This was not an accident by any stretch of the imagination.

“This was terrifying behaviour in a confined space. In the style of a cruel and cowardly person, you blamed her to the police. You continue to describe what happened as an accident and I detect no remorse.

“You admit what you did was wrong. You should have done this much sooner. Your own difficulties are profound and distressing to hear, but the victim bears no responsibility for that.”