Businessman grabbed his girlfriend by throat during row
A COMPANY director pinned his girlfriend against the kitchen wall during a drunken argument, before turning on a bystander who tried to intervene.
Lee Turner also threw a pasta jar and Christmas decorations at his then-partner during the row, causing a cut close to her eye, Bolton Crown Court heard.
Turner, of Farnworth, had been drinking vodka after finishing work on the afternoon of November 28 last year, prosecution barrister Hugh McKee told the court.
The 43-year-old, who is a director of Bolton-based property firm Luxdel, then got into an argument with his girlfriend later that evening. He “snapped” and told her to pack her stuff, the court heard.
He grabbed the woman by the throat, pinning her against the kitchen wall.
During the row, a teenager intervened and screamed at Turner to stop but he then assaulted them as well.
When police arrived, at around 2am, officers said Christmas decorations were in the street and throughout the house.
Turner was in bed but police woke him up and arrested him. At his interview, Turner denied the assaults and said that it was the woman who threw the Christmas decorations.
In a victim personal statement, the teenager said that they have struggled to sleep since the incident.
Mitigating, Thomas Worsfold told the court that there was a lack of pre-meditation and that Turner has shown remorse for his actions.
Turner had character references from his business partner Jason Derbyshire and Reverend Alison Comber from the Seven Saints parish.
Turner pleaded guilty to assault by beating and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
He was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, was ordered to complete 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days and pay £425 in costs.
Judge Timothy Stead also imposed restraining orders, lasting ten years, prohibiting Turner from contacting either of the victims, or going within 100 metres of the woman’s home.