Peterlee, County Durham – A man named Mark Bellingham was sentenced to two years and six months in prison for a violent assault on a woman that took place on October 31st last year. The incident occurred in the presence of the victim’s young daughter, who had to witness Bellingham repeatedly punching and kneeing her mother in the face. The court heard how Bellingham, enraged, unleashed a series of blows on the woman before appearing to regain his temper momentarily and expressing remorse for his actions. This traumatic experience left the woman with two facial fractures, leading to her being prescribed painkillers for the injuries sustained.
According to Jon Harley, the prosecuting attorney, Bellingham had prior convictions for possession of cannabis and a bladed article, which were uncovered during his arrest for the violent assault. Despite pleas from Mark Styles, Bellingham’s defense attorney, the judge sentenced Bellingham to prison time, stating that the violent attack must have had a significant impact on the victim and her daughter. In addition to the prison sentence, Bellingham was also issued a ten-year restraining order to protect the victim from any future harm.
The victim, in her impact statement, expressed feeling unsettled following the assault, and highlighted the negative impact it had on her daughter’s behavior. Bellingham, a resident of Snowdon Place in Peterlee, County Durham, admitted to causing grievous bodily harm to the woman. His defense attorney emphasized that Bellingham had no prior history of violence and was at a loss to explain his behavior on that fateful day.
The sentencing judge, Richard Bennett, condemned Bellingham’s violent actions, noting the lasting impact it had on the victim’s confidence and well-being. The judge emphasized the severity of the incident, particularly the trauma experienced by the young child who witnessed the attack. Ultimately, Bellingham’s violent behavior led to his imprisonment and the imposition of a restraining order to ensure the victim’s safety in the future.