Raider jailed for knife attack on ex-girlfriend’s new partner

Mar 12 2008 by Sam Wonfor, The Journal

A RAIDER who burgled his former girlfriend’s home returned and launched a frenzied knife attack on her new partner, a court heard yesterday.

Dean Hendry broke into Danielle Monkhouse’s flat in Fontwell Drive, Gateshead, while she and boyfriend Andrew Mills were enjoying an evening out.

He smeared yoghurt on the bedding, tipped out the contents of her handbag and stole photographs and an ornament after forcing his way in through the kitchen, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

And when Ms Monkhouse later telephoned him suspecting he was to blame a “heated” argument took place between them, the court was told.

Shortly after the call ended, Ms Monkhouse and Mr Mills were in the kitchen when they heard crashing noises coming from the front door and Hendry burst in, said James Adkin, prosecuting.

“He immediately went for Andrew Mills, pushing Danielle Monkhouse out the way,” said Mr Adkin. “The defendant had armed himself with a knife, the prosecution say, prior to coming to the premises.

“Mr Mills was backed into a corner of the kitchen and the defendant launched a sustained and gratuitous attack, stabbing and slashing him.”

Mr Adkin said Hendry then headbutted Ms Monkhouse and tried to bite her nose and she fled to the bedroom, took her two-year-old daughter from her cot and ran from the flat to get help.

Mr Mills, who told police he had been in fear for his life, suffered a total of 18 wounds to his head and body, some superficial but including a deep wound to his hand.

Hendry, 27, a floor layer, of Lincoln Street, Gateshead, was jailed for five years after admitting wounding with intent, assault and burglary.

Shaun Routledge, defending, said Hendry had been provoked during the telephone conversation and his reaction “had been out of all proportion” to what was said.

“He is extremely remorseful and sorry for what he did,” said Mr Routledge.

Passing sentence, Recorder Graeme Hyland said he was prepared to accept Hendry had been subjected to a degree of taunting during the telephone conversation and took into account his guilty plea and remorse.

But he told him: “On that night you subjected Andrew Mills to a frenzied attack with the use of a knife. Bearing in mind this was an attack in the home with the use of a knife on a defenceless man, the sentence has to be a substantial sentence of imprisonment.”