Victim says partner's brutal attacks felt like 'living in horror film'

A DRUNKEN Middlesbrough thug left his partner feeling like she was living in “a horror film” after subjecting her to a series of violent attacks.

- By DAVID HUNTLEY

Ex-Army serviceman David Smith would demand his then-partner to pay for his drugs and booze during a relationship that left her battling PTSD and suicidal thoughts.

In one horrendous assault, Smith punched the victim so hard he perforated her eardrum, before going on to strangle her in another attack.

He also spat in her face, bit her nose, headbutted her and smashed her head into a fridge in a third traumatic incident.

On Thursday, Smith, of Maple Street, central Middlesbrough, appeared at Teesside Magistrates' Court to be sentenced for three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, intentional strangulation, and criminal damage.

The 41-year-old had pleaded guilty to the offences.

The court heard that Smith and the woman had been friends since childhood, but had only been in a relationship for the last two years.

The relationship was said to have started out “great” but was soon marred by Smith's drinking and drug taking.