Abuser jailed after stamping on woman’s ankle, breaking it in two places

An abuser who stamped on a woman’s ankle, breaking it in two places, has been jailed.

Richard Tutty had been out drinking with the woman on December 11, 2023, when the pair began arguing back at their Darlington home.

Tutty pushed the woman to the ground and stamped on her ankle before taking a picture off the wall and throwing it at her.

As she laid on the floor in excruciating pain, the 46-year-old kicked her in the face before fleeing the scene and running to a nearby property.

The woman managed to contact her friend and mother who took her to hospital, where doctors confirmed her ankle was broken in two places and would need surgery.

A police investigation was launched, and Tutty was arrested and brought into custody.

He was later charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent, which he denied, but a jury sitting at Teesside Crown Court found him guilty of the offence.

Tutty, of Darlington, appeared back at court on Monday (September 8) where he was jailed for three-and-a-half years.

He was also handed a restraining order preventing him from having any contact with the woman.

In a victim impact statement, she said: “Since Richard Tutty assaulted me, my life has completely changed both physically and mentally.

“It’s almost impossible to explain how overwhelming it is to be in a relationship with Richard; how can someone make you feel so loved by so worthless at the same time.

“It has taken me a long time to process that I was in a mental, coercive, and physically abusive relationship.

“Physically, I am unable to be on my feet as much as a normal woman should be. My leg still hurts, especially when it is cold, and I now have a slight limp.

“The mental impact on me is also very real and I have been seeing a mental health nurse due to still struggling with the trauma from the attack and the relationship as a whole.

“I now struggle to hold down a job. I struggle with friendships and relationships. I struggle to function, most days I just say I’m breathing – I’m not living, I’m here but I’m not here.”

Investigative Officer Ruth Bussey, from Darlington Safeguarding Team, said: “This was a violent attack on a woman in her own home which has left her with significant physical and emotional scars.

“She showed immense courage in standing up to Tutty during the investigation and subsequent court hearings.

“I hope the sentence passed provides her and her family with some comfort and enables her to move forward with her life.”

If you are suffering domestic abuse, please tell us - call 101, or 999 if you are in immediate danger.  

Reports can also be made online at www.durham.police.uk/ro/report/domestic-abuse/a1/report-domestic-abuse/ 

If you don’t want to speak to the police, there are other helplines available: 

• The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is available 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247.
• Local charity, Harbour, is also available 24 hours a day on 03000 20 25 25. 
• The Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre (RSACC) offers free, specialist support to anyone who has experienced any form of sexual violence at any time in their lives. Call 01325 354119, email [email protected] or visit rsacc-thecentre.org.uk

The above services support both men and women.