Mum beaten unconscious by much younger massage therapist she met on blind date

A mum was left unconscious with bleeding on the brain after an "amazing" romance turned into a nightmare.

Despite a "considerable age gap" between her and 26-year-old massage therapist Jay Madine, the woman said they had a lot in common. To begin with, they had a good relationship, during which she would treat him to holidays abroad, clothes and jewellery and invested in his business.

Yet his envious side quickly reared its head, and he despised her contact with her son and ex-partner, Newcastle Crown Court heard. This tension escalated to an incident last December in Gosforth, Newcastle, where he assaulted her using her laptop bag then hurled her against a wall leaving her with severe head trauma that has since impacted her both physically and psychologically, Chronicle Live reported.

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Prosecutor Shada Mellor told the court about the couple's harmonious start post-blind date. She said: "She realised, despite a considerable age gap, they had much in common. She said the relationship in its infancy was amazing."

"She would pay for them to go abroad frequently, bought him clothes and jewellery and invested in his business. Nonetheless, Madine's behaviour soured, leading to property damage and outbursts of anger. Miss Mellor pointed out: "It appears his behaviour was borne from jealousy. He didn't like her spending time with her son or ex husband."

In court, it was revealed Madine consented to attend therapy and managed to attend just one session. Unfortunately, on December 5 last year, his fierce jealousy culminated in severe harm to the woman involved.

She had decided, after a day of working from home, to go out and collect some Christmas presents. Changing into black trousers, Madine interrogated her intentions, suspiciously questioning if she was "going back to the house for him and dressing up for him".

Despite assurances that she was merely going to visit her son, and an attempt to mollify his temper, he admitted to selfishness, saying thats just who he is.

Later, upon giving Madine a ride to Gosforth High Street, things escalated when he asked for a kiss as he was exiting the car, but she declined. Enraged, Madine violently attacked the car, kicking and punching it, and directing a water bottle at it.

Miss Mellor detailed the terrifying encounter: "She was scared and shaking in fear in the car and she took the first opportunity to drive off to her ex partner's house."

She stayed in the car momentarily once there, trying to calm herself. But the ordeal wasn't over as Madine reappeared, demanding flat keys and issuing a threatening directive: "You better come home after he goes to sleep or I will be back."

After returning home to find her partner absent, a woman agreed to pick him up from Gosforth, only to be met with an unprecedented level of fury. Miss Mellor recounted in court: "She said he was at a level of rage she had not seen before."

The man's anger escalated, bombarding her with questions about their relationship, leaving her too frightened to express her desire to leave him. The situation took a violent turn when he attacked her with her laptop bag, then physically threw her against a wall, causing her to collapse.

Bleeding profusely from her ear and head, the woman was further assaulted as Madine attempted to lift her, only for her to fall again. He then dragged her to his car amidst shouts, driving her to the RVI where she lost consciousness.

Upon arrival at the hospital, she was found to have a scalp laceration, ear bleeding, a brain fracture, and bleeding. Admitted to critical care, a CT scan confirmed the severity of her injuries. The brutal attack left her with lasting damage: facial nerve palsy affecting the left side, movement issues, hearing loss, memory impairment, and persistent pain.

By February, the victim of the attack was still battling partial facial paralysis and had not regained her hearing on the left side. The right side's hearing loss persisted along with bouts of dizziness and vertigo, making pain medication a continuing necessity.

In her statement to the court, she shared the depth of her trauma: "The attack has changed my life forever. At this point I don't know how I move on from this. I don't know if I will be able to trust any new people in my life."

Haunting memories of the assault plague her, as she confessed: "I feel betrayed and distraught someone I loved could attack me in such a way."

Living near the scene of the incident has left her contemplating a drastic move for the sake of herself and her family. She expressed her shattered state, saying, "He has completely and utterly broken me as a person."

Originally facing a charge of GBH with intent, Madine pled guilty to the lesser offence of GBH. His plea was accepted, and he received a 21-month sentence, which was suspended for two years. Alongside the sentence, he must complete 100 hours of unpaid work and is now bound by a ten-year restraining order.

David Robinson-Young spoke in defense of Madine, mentioning his lack of prior convictions and his prompt action in taking the victim to the hospital when he recognised the severity of her injuries - an act which arguably prevented even worse outcomes. He described Madine as "emotionally immature".

Mr Robinson-Young revealed that Madine, who tragically lost his father at a young age, has battled with handling his feelings. He asserted: "His relationship with (the victim) was his first real emotional attachment as an adult. When he thought he was losing her he lost control. He deeply regrets this."

Additionally, Mr Robinson-Young pointed out that Madine, currently working as a massage therapist, has been contending with the consequences of his actions, having tried to take his own life twice since the incident and "know what he did was despicable".