Man who assaulted woman in Hartlepool now behind bars
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Stephen Auton, of Homer Grove, punched the woman numerous times and caused damage to her home.
On Friday 6 March Auton, aged 28, appeared at Teesside Crown Court to be sentenced after pleading guilty on the first day of his trial.
A judge sentenced him to 27 months for two counts of actual bodily harm and two counts of criminal damage.
Auton flew into a fit of rage after the woman returned home from work later than usual on Saturday 23 August, the court heard.
Despite asking him to leave, he refused and began slapping her around the head before pushing her into a door causing an injury to her hand.
He then began punching a TV in the living room and smashing the screen. Upon leaving the property, he grabbed a CCTV camera and has never returned it.
In the early hours of Thursday 28 August Auton returned to the property.
After waking the woman up, he grabbed her, causing her t-shirt to rip and then punched her in the face. This caused injuries to her eyes, head and left her with concussion and bruising that required treatment at hospital as well as surgery on her hand.
The court was told that Auton had assaulted the woman, and caused damage to the property, in front of a child who lived there.
The following day the offences were reported to police and Auton was arrested and subsequently charged.
Detective Constable Jack Ellner, from Cleveland Police’s protecting vulnerable people team, said: “Auton subjected the woman to violent and horrific physical and mental abuse that on occasions took place in front of her child.
“Since his criminality was reported to police, she has shown such strength and courage throughout the justice system and ensured he had no choice but to admit to what he did that saw him put behind bars.
“I hope her strength and courage continues as she now builds her life.
“I want to take this opportunity to encourage anyone who may be a victim of physical or emotional abuse, or knows someone who could be, to please report it. The first step is getting in touch with us and when you do, please be assured that like with Auton, we will act.”
To report abuse please call Cleveland Police on 101 or visit our website.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
For access to support services please visit Support organisations for victims of domestic violence | Cleveland Police
