Ross Lidbetter

ross.lidbetter@essnmedia.co.uk

A MAN who beat up his long-term partner in a drunken rage walked from Croydon Crown Court on Monday hand-in-hand with her.

Mark Smith, 42, left court with his victim Natalie Treadaway, the mother of his two children, moments after being given an 18-week suspended jail term.

Miss Treadaway defended her partner, as she explained: "I've forgiven him and everything should be all right from now on. It was the first time he had ever been violent to me."

Smith, of Milton Road, Croydon, pleaded guilty to causing Miss Treadaway actual bodily harm.

Shekinah Anson, prosecuting, said Smith went out drinking on December 4 last year, spending around £400 on alcohol before returning home.

He was angry that he could not get his car out of the pub car park, which had been locked, the court heard.

Later, in their bedroom, he turned on Miss Treadaway and landed a series of punches on her.

Miss Anson said: "He grabbed her by the hair, forced her on the bed and climbed on top of her.

"He hit her in the stomach twice. She was struggling and she thought he was going to kill her.

"He again punched her in the face, making her fall back. He grabbed her throat and she felt suffocated."

She was eventually able to run to a neighbour and police were called. Miss Treadaway was taken to hospital with extensive bruising.

The court heard that Smith had 57 previous offences on his criminal record, but none for assault.

Tana Adkin, defending, said Smith and Miss Treadaway had always been a close couple and he was now thoroughly ashamed of his behaviour.

In addition to the 18-week sentence, which has been suspended for two years, Smith was told to pay £350 court costs.