Thug attacked ex with hammer
WARNED TO STAY AWAY – NOW HE’S JAILED FOR EIGHT YEARS
CONTROL freak James Priest launched a horrific hammer attack on his ex-girlfriend and her male friend after turning up at her home.
The thug hit the woman’s legs with the tool and caused injuries to her friend’s head after lashing out.
A court heard after inflicting violence on the pair in Cramlington, Northumberland, the 20-year-old warned his former partner he would kill her.
Priest, of no fixed address, admitted aggravated burglary and also pleaded guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour in relation to his “verbal and physical aggression” towards the victim when they were together, which included him checking her messages and “constantly looking over her shoulder”.
Newcastle Crown Court heard in the days before the violence last summer, Priest had been issued with a harassment warning from the police to keep him away from the woman.
Jailing him for eight years, Recorder Nathan Adams told him: “It must have been a terrifying experience for them.
“You said you had the hammer with you because you had been doing DIY work earlier but, following that work, you decided to carry the hammer with you.
“You had it with you when you decided to attend, uninvited, at her accommodation.
“Once in there, you had no hesitation in using that hammer as a weapon.
“You knew full well you should not be there. You deliberately went there. You were attending without permission, with a clear warning you should not be there.”
The judge said the attack was a “horrific event” and said Priest poses a “significant risk to members of the public of serious harm”.
The judge added: “The risk should be significantly reduced by the time you are released.”
Penny Hall, defending, said the relationship had been Priest’s first serious one and that he is “immature” for his age.
Miss Hall said Priest had not planned to attack anyone when he decided to go to the house and added: “He is deeply ashamed of his actions.
“He has taken steps already to make positive change.”
Miss Hall said Priest, who has no violence on his record, has a portfolio of achievements since he has been remanded in custody and has good references from prison staff.