Andrew Patterson, a 41-year-old man with 153 previous offences, assaulted his girlfriend inside Whitworth Chemist in Elswick, Newcastle, on December 16 last year. He punched her in the face with a closed fist and shouted, 'I will destroy you,' in front of shocked staff and customers.
Court details and sentencing
Patterson, of Bentinck Crescent, Elswick, pleaded guilty to assault by beating at Newcastle Magistrates' Court. He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 victim surcharge. Prosecutor Jake Bowman told the court that Patterson and the victim had been in a relationship for six years, but their relationship had worsened in the week prior to the incident.
According to Bowman, the couple attended the chemist for Patterson to collect his methadone prescription. While sitting in the waiting area, Patterson punched the victim and made the threat. Police were called, and he was arrested.
Defence statement
Defending, Andy O'Hanlon said: 'There is an argument between the pair. He lost his temper and hit her. There's not a great more to it than that. He accepts he behaved disgracefully and let himself down. He's since spoken to her and they are on good terms.'
Patterson had managed to stay out of trouble for six years prior to this incident but brought his law-abiding run to an abrupt end. His criminal record includes 153 offences.
