A Doxford Park man who was involved in a fight moments after his Northumbria Police officer girlfriend assaulted her ex-partner in 7even has been jailed.
Lee Little, 29, and his then-partner, Kate Dolan had been on a night out in Sunderland on Boxing Day in 2021 when trouble flared.
That night, Dolan’s ex-partner Lewis Smith was also out drinking, and the group had seen each other in The Terrace pub.
The group later encountered each other again in 7even in the early hours of December 27. At some point, Dolan assaulted Mr Smith in the club.
Dolan was later found guilty of assault by beating and fined £500 and was also suspended from Northumbria Police.
But not long after Dolan’s assault, Little was caught on the club’s CCTV gesturing to Mr Smith’s pal Jack Dickinson. Once the pair were outside, Little unleashed a “vicious and sustained” attack, which left Mr Dickinson on the ground with injuries.
On Wednesday, Dolan, of Blenheim Close, Doxford Park, appeared at Teesside Crown Court to be sentenced for assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He had been found guilty of the offence following a trial.
Paul Cleasby, prosecuting, told the court that following Dolan’s assault, Little was seen “gesturing” to Mr Dickinson to go outside. He said: “A short while later Mr Dickinson was outside the bar. Little takes off his jacket and squares up to him. A fight breaks out and the victim falls to the ground.”
The court heard Mr Dickinson – who sustained a cut to his nose – was attempting to get up as Little rained down punches. The attack – which was captured on CCTV and shown in court – ended when a bouncer intervened.
Tom Bennett, defending, said the attack was “out of character” and that Little had no previous convictions. He said: “There was an element of pre-meditation given the footage shown. But it is not a case where there was a significant degree of it. There was an element of impulsivity.”
Mr Bennett added that Little and Dolan have an autistic child and that an immediate custodial sentence could have a “harmful impact”. He said that Little was “remorseful” and was suitable for unpaid work.
Sentencing Little, Judge Jonathan Carroll told him it was “clear the violence came from you”. He said: “It was a vicious and sustained punching attack while [Mr Dickinson] was still on the ground.” Little was jailed for 15 months.