Domestic abuse drug dealer reported by mum

An abusive drug dealer who was reported to police by his mum has been jailed for five years.

Conna Hardy, 22, was found with a haul of drugs worth up to £22,000 in his bedroom after his mother called 999 to say he was being aggressive, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Hardy later went on to subject his partner to a "terrifying" attack in which she thought she would be killed.

Hardy, who was originally from Nottinghamshire but moved to Whitley Bay, admitted offences including assault and possessing Class A and B drugs with intent to supply.

Hardy's mother called police to their home in Blidworth, near Mansfield, on 11 June 2020 to say her son had just come out of a seizure and was being aggressive, prosecutors said.

While Hardy was taken to hospital in Nottingham, his mother told officers he had a stash of drugs in his bedroom and pleaded with them to take them away, the court heard.

Officers discovered drugs including cocaine and ketamine with a street value of up to £22,235, the court heard.

Hardy's prosecution was delayed as he had to stay in hospital for treatment, and then moved to the North East out of the Nottinghamshire Police area.

On 17 August last year, Hardy and his partner of eight months returned to his home in Whitley Bay after a night out when he flew into a rage and attacked her.

She attempted to flee but he dragged her back inside, the court heard.

In a statement read to the court, the woman said she genuinely believed Hardy was going to kill her and had been left "traumatised".

Recorder Nicholas Lumley KC said Hardy, who had previous convictions for domestic assault against other partners, was "full of intoxicants, rage and jealousy" and the attack "must have been very terrifying" for the victim.

In mitigation, the court heard Hardy had stopped using drugs and was now keen to be a "good daddy" to a baby boy he had had with another woman.

Of Hardy's drug offences, Mr Lumley said the dealer had become a "violent and unpredictable young man" who even caused his own mother to turn against him.

A restraining order banning Hardy from contacting the partner he assaulted was also made.

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