Darlington, United Kingdom – A 33-year-old man, Benjamin Mills, was sentenced to 28 months in prison for assaulting a woman and injuring a toddler in a drink-fueled attack in August last year. The incident occurred after Mills lost his temper, leading to a physical altercation that left the child with a serious head injury. Teesside Crown Court heard that Mills and the woman had been drinking before the violence unfolded at their residence.
The court described how Mills became increasingly aggressive when he couldn’t find his mobile phone, eventually blaming the woman for its misplacement. His anger escalated into a violent outburst, resulting in repeated hits towards the victim. The judge, Jonathan Carroll, highlighted the dangerous consequences of Mills’ actions, noting the potential catastrophic impact of a head injury on a young child.
Prosecutor Daniel Ingham revealed that the violent incident occurred while Mills was intoxicated. The assault on the woman led to the unintended harm of the toddler, who sustained a head injury in the crossfire of the altercation. The court emphasized the severity of the situation, with medical experts confirming that the child’s injury was not a minor one.
During the trial, it was disclosed that the police and ambulance services responded to reports of a disturbance on Grainger Road near Darlington Railway Station. The child was swiftly transported to a hospital for medical evaluation, given the concerning nature of the head injury. Mills was ultimately found guilty of two charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, leading to his sentencing and the imposition of a 16-year restraining order to safeguard the victims.
In response to the verdict, Mills’ legal representative, Robin Turton, acknowledged the gravity of the situation and expressed minimal mitigation for his client. The court proceedings shed light on the damaging impact of alcohol-fueled violence, underscoring the importance of accountability and consequences for such actions. The sentencing serves as a reminder of the need for responsible behavior and the protection of vulnerable individuals from harm in society.