Church man jailed over 'horror' attack on mother of his child

Jamie Hazell, whose victim Laura Dixon had taken out a non-molestation order against him, had grabbed her by the hair, dragged her out of a taxi to her front door and started to throw her head against it.

She ran across the road for help, but Hazell followed her, pushed her over and dragged her back across the road, across some grass to her own garden.

Ms Dixon was curled up in a ball on the ground, was kicked and ‘sort of blacked out’. The incident, on August 5, was seen by neighbours, police were called and he was arrested, Burnley Crown Court heard.

The hearing was told the defendant had been on bail at the time, after an attack in which he smashed a man’s teeth in and left him needing surgery to remove a snapped-off tooth embedded in his lip.

Hazell, 24, said to be a violent offender when he has had a drink, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm, breaching a non- molestation order and common assault.

The defendant, of Knotwood Court, Church, has already served 95 days on remand and was set to be released.

Sarah Statham, prosecuting, said the first victim Jordan Wallbank had been in Accrington town centre with Hazell when he was attacked.

Miss Statham said Ms Dixon let the defendant back into her life after taking out the order late last year, because she felt sorry for him.

They had been to a party, had been drinking and Hazell accused her of flirting. He pushed her onto the floor, others didn’t like his behaviour and there was a fight between the defendant and another male. The victim was then assaulted after they got a taxi. The defendant, who had been on remand since, had 11 previous convictions.

James Heyworth, for Hazell, said: “He’s not somebody who is a violent offender in a relationship. He’s generally a violent offender when he’s had a drink.”

Sentencing, Judge Beverley Lunt said: “Your violence towards this woman, who has given birth to your child, is just beyond the pale. You should be so ashamed.”