Police release picture of jailed South Yorkshire thug who assaulted his ex-partner while armed with a knife

Sheffield Crown Court heard on June 2 how Paul Newton, aged 33, of South Street, Barnsley, was shouting outside his ex-partner’s home before he entered the property, showed her he had a knife and grabbed one of her arms.

Judge Peter Kelson QC told Newton: “This was a very serious breach of a protective order. You entered the complainant’s home at night making threats while in possession of a knife and while drunk or under the influence of drugs.”

David Hewitt, prosecuting, said Newton was made subject to a restraining order after he was previously jailed for assaulting the same complainant.

He added that during the latest incident Newton and his former partner had a disagreement after their daughter had wanted to see him and this led to a dispute between the defendant and the complainant.

Mr Hewitt said that during the same evening, the complainant woke to the sound of the defendant shouting and screaming in the street and kicking her door while making threats aimed at her and her partner at the time.

The complainant let Newton into the property, according to Mr Hewitt, and he began searching the house while revealing to his ex-partner that he had a knife and he grabbed his ex-partner’s arm before leaving.

Mr Hewitt said police arrested the defendant on nearby Plumber Street where he was smelling of intoxicants and was found with the knife.

Newton, who has previous convictions, pleaded guilty to breaching the restraining order, assaulting his former partner by beating and to possessing a knife in a public place after the incident on March 8.

Mr Hewitt added that the complainant reported being terrified by the experience and she said that she fears for her life.

Richard Canning, defending, said: “There was some disagreement between the defendant’s daughter and the current partner of the complainant. That is why he went to the house asking for that person.”

Mr Canning claimed Newton had been concerned about “defending his daughter’s honour”.

Judge Kelson sentenced Newton to 18-months of custody.

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