Mick Hartley

From the Sunderland Echo:

A murderer's girlfriend lay dying in his house while he attended a "building better relationships" course for assaulting her.

Stephen Todd killed Melissa Eastick with a series of beatings over several days, while already on a suspended sentence for attacking her.

He had been ordered to complete the course as part of his punishment in a bid to reduce the risk of him offending again.

But Newcastle Crown Court heard "tiny" Melissa, who was frail and vulnerable, suffered around 123 bruises and cuts, as well as multiple fractures and had six cigarette burns, likely inflicted as she was dying, at his hands.

The 36-year-old mum had also had a brain injury, which would have left her unconscious for "some days" before her death. Melissa was found dead in Todd's flat in October 17 last year.

The court heard Todd had attacked Melissa initially on October 18 2021 when he accused her of being unfaithful and punched her in the face and across her chest.

He spent time in custody for that but was released on July 10 last year, when he appeared in court and was given a 15-month sentence, suspended for two years, for assault.

Prosecutor Peter Glenser KC said Todd had been required to attend a 'building better relationships' programme as part of the sentence. Mr Glenser added: "He missed an appointment on October 10, saying he was unwell but he attended an appointment on October 12, at a time when she must have been lying injured in his flat."

The court heard Todd was noted to be "quiet and not contributing" at the October 12 meeting.