A Sunderland man with a long record of violent offending has been sent to prison for attacking his partner during a confrontation earlier this year.
Dean Jefferson, 38, admitted assaulting his former girlfriend during a heated argument at their home on May 30, 2025. Newcastle Crown Court heard that the row began in the living room before spilling into the kitchen, where Jefferson dragged the woman in a headlock.
The court was told the victim pushed him away in a bid to escape before Jefferson threw her over a beer crate. During the struggle, she struck him with a bottle, causing a head wound. Jefferson then punched her twice in the face, leaving visible bruising that officers noted when they arrived at the scene.
Prosecutor Gurjot Kaur said Jefferson had 34 previous convictions covering 49 offences, many involving violence. The judge highlighted nine earlier violent incidents since 2003, three of which were domestic in nature, describing his criminal history as “significant and concerning”.
In a statement read to the court, the victim said she continued to live in fear of what Jefferson might do next.
Mitigation
Defence lawyer Shaun Routledge told the court Jefferson struggled with depression, had experienced a difficult childhood, and had served in war zones while in the armed forces — experiences which may have impacted his mental health.
Recorder Rebecca Brown jailed Jefferson for 14 months, telling him:
“You present a risk and danger to the public. Your record shows repeated failures to comply.”
Jefferson, who pleaded guilty to actual bodily harm, was also given a five-year restraining order preventing any contact with the victim.