Man whose 'horrific' attack blinded partner jailed

A man who partially-blinded his partner in a "horrific" attack has been jailed for almost three years.

John Walker, 56, threw a phone at the woman and repeatedly punched her in the face before leaving her lying in "excruciating" pain, Durham Crown Court heard.

Judge Joanne Kidd said Walker posed a "real risk" to the woman and she hoped everything would be done in the future to keep her safe from him.

Walker, of Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, admitted wounding without intent and was jailed for 33 months.

The court heard he launched a vicious assault on the woman on 28 June.

Blood was pouring from his victim's face and she was in "excruciating pain" but Walker ignored her desperate pleas to call for an ambulance, Judge Kidd said.

"You left her in that bleeding agonising state," the judge said, adding when she was eventually taken to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough her "horrific" injuries were found to include the permanent loss of sight in one of her eyes.

"Her life has been devastated," Judge Kidd said, adding the "background" of the couple's relationship showed Walker posed a "high risk" to the woman, especially after drinking and taking cocaine.

Walker, of The Moorland, had wept as details were read out during proceedings but Judge Kidd said she did not know who he was crying for, himself or his victim.

The judge said she had "considerable concern" that no restraining order had been sought and she agreed with the probation worker who concluded Walker was a "real risk" to the woman.

"I hope when the conditions [of Walker's eventual release from prison] are imposed, everything is done to keep her as safe as possible from you", Judge Kidd said.

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