Man smashed windows as he hunted pregnant partner

Lewis Armstrong admitted assault and criminal damage

A man who smashed a disabled couple's windows as they sheltered his terrified pregnant partner from him has been jailed.

Lewis Armstrong's girlfriend of nine months had sought sanctuary at her neighbour's home as she feared he would attack her, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

The 29-year-old from Winlaton, Gateshead, turned up twice and smashed their windows and on one occasion hitting a man in the ribs with a rock, the court heard.

Armstrong, who had a history of violence including attacking a previous partner, admitted criminal damage and assault and was jailed for five months.

Armstrong and the woman, who was 10 weeks pregnant with their child, had had a "troubled" relationship which ended in February, prosecutor Antonia Adie said.

After an argument on 5 February left her fearing he would come round in a rage, the woman went to stay with her neighbours, a disabled couple in their 60s and 70s, the court heard.

'Threats to kill'

He repeatedly knocked on their door demanding the woman come out, but when no one answered Armstrong threw a rock through the living room window, smashing the glass and hitting the man inside in the ribs, Ms Adie said.

The following afternoon, Armstrong's partner was asleep in her bed when she woke up to find him on top of her hitting her, the court heard.

He fled as she screamed and she returned to her neighbours' home for shelter, the court heard.

Later on 6 February he went twice more to the neighbours' flat, on the first occasion swearing and threatening to kill them and smash their windows, and on the second carrying out his threats by shattering several large panes of glass around the home, Ms Adie said.

'Violent history'

The couple said they had been "petrified" and Armstrong's now ex-partner said she was completely restarting her life somewhere new where he could not find her.

The court heard he had 16 convictions for 36 offences, including for attacking another partner for which he was jailed for four months in 2024.

Recorder Shufqat Khan said it was "clear" Armstrong had "issues with jealousy and anger" and drugs, such as cocaine, and he had been attacking out of "revenge" for the woman refusing to see him.

Restraining orders banning Armstrong, of Heddon View, from contacting his victim or the neighbours for five years were also made.

The court heard Armstrong would probably be released immediately from prison as he had been held on remand since February, with the time counting towards his sentence.