Man who slapped his girlfriend ends up before court

A man slapped his girlfriend across the face in an unprovoked attack as she sat on the sofa of her South Tyneside home, a court heard.

- by Gareth Crickmer

Liam Askew's aggression at the property in South Shields, on September 14 last year, was witnessed by a stunned friend of the victim.

She reported homeless Askew, 40, to police and the case against him proceeded on her evidence alone, with his now former partner refusing to testify.

Askew pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault by beating but the matter was proved in his absence when he failed to attend court for his trial on Friday, May 2.

He returned to South Tyneside Magistrates' Court on Monday, to be sentenced for the assault and four other matters.

Prosecutor Rehana Haque said: "It was an evidence-led prosecution of an assault by beating. The injured party didn't provide a statement.