Blackpool builder 'snapped' and assaulted his ex-partner in a jealous rage, judge at Preston Crown Court told

A builder has been spared prison “by the skin of his teeth” after assaulting his ex-partner in a jealous rage.

Carl Dixon grabbed the terrified woman by the throat as they lay in bed and ripped out a large chunk of her hair after he accused her of being unfaithful.

The 39-year-old from Blackpool pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm when he appeared before Preston Crown Court.

He was given a suspended jail sentence and ordered to wear an alcohol tag for 120 days.

The court was told Dixon had been with the woman for about five months when she decided to end the relationship. He messaged her numerous times, but she made it clear it was over.

On February 13 this year he messaged her saying he wanted to visit her at home, but she told him to stay away. He still turned up and became argumentative.

Prosecution barrister Ben Stanley said: “He snapped.” He eventually calmed down and the couple ended up in bed. But when they woke up the following morning the argument continued.

At that point Dixon grabbed the woman by the neck and tore out a large clump of her hair. She ran round to a neighbour’s house and the police were called.

In a victim statement the woman told the court the attack had made a significant impact on her life both physically and emotionally. She was left feeling vulnerable and scared for her safety.

She suffered multiple panic attacks and had even had to change the route she used to take her son to school. She was “terrified” to go out and didn’t socialise with her friends for months after.

The assault had impacted on her anxiety as she prepared to go to court to give evidence. In the end Dixon only pleaded guilty to assault on the day he was due to stand trial, sparing her the ordeal of standing in the witness box.

Barrister Daniel Dewhurst, representing Dixon, of Pickmere Avenue, Blackpool, said the incident was sparked by his client seeing messages on the woman’s phone referring to a previous boyfriend.

There had been “mixed” messages between the couple prior to the assault. He had been asking for permission to visit her house and she had said “No”. But then there had been another message in which she asked him to go round and bring alcohol. They ended up in bed together.

“It was not a case where he intruded into the property, they were both together in bed,” said Mr Dewhurst. “He recognises that all sentences are available to the court today. He concedes that it has crossed the custody threshold.”

But Mr Dewhurst told Judge Philip Parry that if his client was sent to prison it would have a “significant impact” on his four children, particularly his eldest son who worked for him in the building trade.

“He has taken steps to moderate his alcohol (intake). He recognises his consumption (level) and the risks when he consumes it.”

Judge Parry said Dixon had previously pleaded not guilty to four charges, including one of strangulation, but on the day of the trial he agreed to plead guilty to a single charge of assault, meaning the trial was abandoned and his ex-partner was not required to give evidence. The other charges were ordered to lie on the file.

He said that the relationship between the couple had been relatively short-lived and the woman had made it clear it was over.

But there had been mixed messages “on the one hand not to come round and on the other ‘come round and bring alcohol’”. Dixon had gone round to her address and snatched her phone from her to check for messages.

“You thought she had been unfaithful,” he told him. “Whatever, it calmed down and then you went to bed together.

“When you woke up there was another argument. You were accusing her of being unfaithful and it turned violent.

“You grabbed her, pulled out a large clump of hair, grabbed her neck. You said you did that in the dark, not knowing what you were doing or grabbing at that point. I accept it wasn’t intentional strangulation.

“You left her feeling scared and vulnerable. She suffers from panic attacks and is afraid to go out of her home and of being alone.

“She was fearful of what would happen at the trial. You left her until the very last minute before you changed your plea, leaving her to suffer distress.

“You were drinking an awful lot at the time of this relationship. You had consumed an awful lot that night as well. The effect on her must have been terrible.”

The judge said he had to consider whether any prison sentence should be immediate because he felt Dixon still presented a risk to his victim.

But he added: “By the skin of your teeth I can just about suspend this sentence.”

He handed down a 16-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months. In addition Dixon must attend up to 20 rehabilitation requirement days.

He also ordered him to undergo alcohol monitoring for 120 days and told him he must do 200 hours of unpaid work in the community.

The judge also made him the subject of a restraining order banning him from making any contact with his ex-partner for the next seven years.