Drunken thug gave his wife black eye

ABUSER ATTACKED HIS PARTNER IN WILD RAGE

A DRUNK thug left his wife with a black eye after he lashed out and slapped her in the face at their Wallsend home.

Derek Brierley, who has previous convictions for domestic abuse, lost his temper and flipped a table over before striking his partner.

A court heard that the attack happened just five days after the 45-yearold had previously been aggressive towards the victim, having smashed her mobile phone while in a boozed-up rage on that occasion.

Brierley, of Richardson Street, Wallsend, has now appeared at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded guilty to one count of assault by beating and one of criminal damage.

Kirstie Devine, prosecuting, said the two offences happened on February 5 and February 10 this year.

She added: “The defendant slapped the victim, which caused a black eye.

“The criminal damage is to her mobile phone.”

In a statement, Brierley’s wife said: “The relationship with Derek has ruined my relationship with my mam, son and brother.

“I used to have a good relationship with them but everything changed when I met Derek. I was a victim of domestic violence before and it affects my mental health.”

The court heard that Brierley was so drunk, he had no memory of the assault or damaging the phone.

His solicitor, John Kirkham, added: “As a young man, he was involved in a fair bit of trouble. He grew up in 2014. He moved location after being entrenched in a drinking gang. For the next five years, he kept himself trouble free, so far as the courts are concerned.

“He became involved in a relationship with his wife about four years ago. They both have a longstanding problem with alcohol.”

The court heard Brierley’s last conviction was in July 2019 when he was convicted of battery for pushing his mother.

Giving him a 24-month community order and a 12-week curfew from 8pm until 8am, District Judge Sarah Griffiths said: “You are drinking to excess. When I read this report about the amount you drink, quite frankly, I found it astonishing – it’s a staggering amount.

“I accept you’re alcohol-dependant but that doesn’t excuse your behaviour because you can get help voluntarily if you want it, but you chose to drink.

“You’re using your memory loss as a result of your alcohol consumption as an excuse. Your behaviour with women is appalling.

“You have complete disregard and disrespect for women you have relationships with, either family or women you are in a relationship with.”