Jealous NHS boss attacked love-rival star
FORMER England soccer ace Tony Dorigo was head-butted in a jealous rage by a senior NHS boss.
Gareth Senior exploded in fury after spotting Mr Dorigo with his former lover Claire Joss in the Victoria Gate shopping centre in Leeds.
NHS executive Ms Joss had ditched work colleague Senior following an 18-month romance after he had introduced her to “my hero” – 52-yearold Mr Dorigo – at a concert in Manchester last August.
Suspicious
Senior, 48, was immediately suspicious that he had been jilted in favour of former Chelsea and Leeds United left-back, who was part of England’s Italia 90 World Cup squad.
His fears were confirmed when he spotted the smitten pair on February 6 after they had both left work.
Leeds magistrates court heard how the fuming executive followed them before racing into the complex’s The White Company store where he thrust his love rival into a towel rail before head-butting him in the face.
Mr Dorigo told the court: “He caught me on my nose and top of the lip.”
Shoppers and staff heard Senior screaming, “I knew you were after her”. Leeds United fan Senior and Ms Joss began their relationship in April 2016 after meeting at work in Leeds and he ended his 25-year relationship with his wife to be with her. However, she dumped him for Mr Dorigo
Senior admitted pushing the former footballer but denied the _ head-butt.
His offer to plead guilty to a lesser charge of common assault was rejected by the Crown Prosecution Service.
He now faces losing his job after being convicted of causing actual bodily harm.
In evidence Senior told of his delight at spotting Australian-born Mr Dorigo at the music festival only to be dismayed when the star subsequently contacted his lover.
After he was dumped, friends told him Ms Joss was dating Mr Dorigo and he confronted his rival, he admitted.
He said: “I am not a violent person and I have never been a violent person. I am ashamed and embarrassed of approaching Mr Dorigo in the way that I did.
Deputy District Judge Paul Currer said: “I am very sorry to see a man of your previous good character and good standing coming before the court in circumstances such as this.”
Senior, of Leeds, was fined £500 and ordered to pay £100 compensation to Mr Dorigo, plus £300 court costs.