Bully pointed crossbow at wife after violent attack in bed

A "bully" pointed a loaded crossbow at his terrified wife after violently attacking her in bed.

Scott Pritchard had been due to move out of the marital home in Washington, but then indicated in text messages that he wanted to make things work.

Newcastle Crown Court heard his wife was woken up in the early hours of November 25 2021 by Pritchard, in a "jealous rage", putting the bedroom light on, which she switched off and went back to bed.

Prosecutor Kate Barnes told the court: "He pulled back the covers and grabbed her by the face, which caused soreness to her neck and face.

"He continued to be aggressive, telling her to tell him who she had been with, then punched her in the side of the face numerous times."

The court heard when the woman thought the violence was over, Pritchard, who she had been married to for just 14 months, hit the back of her head with a baton and caused it to bleed.

Miss Barnes added: "She took refuge in the dressing room and called 999 for police assistance. By now she was screaming and distressed.

"The defendant opened the dressing room door and was standing there with a crosssbow, loaded with a dart and pointed at her.

"She managed to close the door and the police arrived shortly afterwards."

The court head as well as the crossbow, officers found a BB gun, police baton, knuckle duster and a taser disguised a torch in the house.