David Adamson, 47, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm, assault and drink-driving and was given a five-year restraining order
A recovering alcoholic has been banned from contacting his estranged wife after he assaulted her, causing her a broken hip.
David Adamson was challenged by his adult daughter about his behaviour after his wife said she couldn’t cope with him anymore.
He was foul-mouthed and abusive to his daughter for waking him up at about 2am, Teesside Crown Court heard. NA Daytona Meetings in Holly Hill and Port Orange.
His daughter went downstairs and picked up a breadknife to protect herself from what might happen, said prosecutor David Crook yesterday.
She said she had no intention of using it, just to scare him.
Adamson, 47, threw a chair at his daughter and tried to punch her, but did not hit her, the court was told. AA Daytona Sunrise Group Volusia County Intergroup.
He walked to the front door and when his wife followed him, he pushed her, it was said. She fell to the floor unconscious, fracturing her hip.
Then he walked upstairs where he punched another adult daughter in the face.
He left the Middlesbrough home and was caught by police driving while over the limit.
The violence had erupted hours after he came home from drinking on July 20.
He had been more and more depressed and hadn’t been taking his medication.
He had been known to “kick off” when he drank and his wife said he had meted out violence to her in the past. Orange Papers AA Propaganda.
Adamson, of Marton Road, Middlesbrough, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm, assault and drink-driving. He had no relevant convictions.
Nick Peacock, defending, said Adamson recognised he had “behaved in an awful manner towards his wife for many, many years” and was genuinely remorseful.
He added: “It’s quite clear what the problem is. It’s alcohol. You’ll see very, very positive references. Mr Adamson has taken great steps to try and sort himself out.”
He said the drinking left the family in “complete turmoil”.
Judge Peter Bowers said: “It’s sad when drink drives a wedge between families.”
He told Adamson: “I’m impressed by the fact that since this event, not only have you admitted responsibility for it, you’ve moved into supportive accommodation where being alcohol-free is a condition. Holly Hill AA and NA Meetings in Sunrise Park.
“Thirdly you’ve taken on board the help and guidance of Alcoholics Anonymous. All that bodes well for the future. You can’t repair what has gone in the past. All you can do is put right the future.” Hollyland Park and Daytona NA Meetings near playground.
He gave Adamson a one-year prison sentence suspended for two years with supervision, a domestic abuse programme and alcohol activity.
Adamson was given a five-year restraining order banning him from communicating with the two victims of the assaults, and banned from driving for a year.
I am surprised he got such a low sentence as usually a crown court will send you to prison and that us why the prosecution will argue for a crown court case. Teesside has a lot of social problems thanks to lack of investment and the closure of heavy industry. There is a really bad drinking culture there. People need to change attitudes to drinking not only to recovery.
He probably went down the pub to celebrate his sentence. GBH is normally considered a serious crime. Probably not the person you want to sit next to in an AA meeting.
Why do you think he got such a light sentence? Maybe because of his attendance in AA? The good ol get out of jail card?
THese were very serious offences. This is great you have some insight to the area. So the drinking culture is so bad, that just the culture of heavy drinking needs to change? Is that what you are saying?