Thug stood on partner's throat after punching and slapping her

A VIOLENT thug who left his partner fearing he would kill her after standing on her neck has been jailed.

- By ROB KENNEDY Court reporter

Stuart Dickson punched and slapped the woman before using his foot to restrict her breathing as she lay on the floor.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the woman got away from him by getting a shop assistant to lock her in and "save my life".

Now Dickson, who admitted assault, has been locked up for 22 months.

The court heard he had been in a relationship with the victim for four or five months at the time of the attack.

On May 5 this year, they had been drinking together and the woman tried to order more alcohol at one point but this was cancelled, leading Dickson to become angry and aggressive towards her.

He slapped and punched her multiple times to the face and body, resulting in bruising and reddening.

Rachel Kelly, prosecuting, said: "He then grabbed her to the floor and put his foot across her throat, standing on her neck and restricting her breathing to the point she thought she would lose consciousness.