Victim assaulted by mum and partner in drunken attack

DRUNKEN couple William Garner and Julie Carr assaulted her son after he invited them to his home for tea.

The pair had been drinking alcohol when an atmosphere developed between Garner and the complainant.

Fifty-one-year-old Garner held the victim while 50-year-old Carr punched him repeatedly to his face.

She threw his phone down the toilet to stop him calling 999 but he fled to a neighbour’s and police were alerted.

And Garner also stole £1,262 from a man who asked him to look after his carpet shop for two weeks while he went on holiday.

Now both defendants have been handed 12-month community orders and hit with a combined court bill of £2,647 at North Staffordshire Justice Centre .

Prosecutor Liz Rider said the couple were invited to Carr’s son’s Leek flat for tea on the evening of October 16.

Miss Rider said: “The victim described himself as merry but his mum and Garner were drunk. His mum passed out on the sofa at one stage.

“At 11pm they were all watching television but there was an atmosphere from Garner towards him.

“Garner got up and pulled him down by his shoulders.

“His mother started to punch him on his face under his eye seven or eight times.

“All he could hear her say was, ‘You want it.’ He was being held down by Garner.

“He went to the doorway. His mother snatched the phone and said, ‘You are not phoning the police,’ and threw it down the toilet. He ran to a neighbour’s and the police were called.”

In a victim statement the complainant said he wants to move away from Leek as the situation has made him feel depressed.

In March, Garner ran a carpet shop in Leek for two weeks while the owner went on holiday. He agreed to would be paid £400 a week but, after he took his wages and paid a carpet fitter, the safe was £1,262 short when the owner returned.

Both defendants, of Rosebank

Street, Leek, denied assault by beating but were convicted after a trial. Garner admitted the theft.

Janice Sain-reiners, representing both defendants, said Carr is extremely sorry the assault happened: “Let’s hope bridges can be built in the future.”

She added that Garner succumbed to temptation while looking after the carpet shop.

Both defendants were made the subject of a restraining order which prevents them contacting Carr’s son for 12 months.

As part of her community order

Carr must complete a rehabilitation activity requirement for 30 days and a six-month alcohol treatment requirement.

She was fined £120 and ordered to pay her son £100 compensation as well as £365 costs and an £85 surcharge.

Garner must complete a six month alcohol treatment requirement, a rehabilitation activity requirement for 10 days and 150 hours unpaid work.

He was told to pay Mr Riley £1,262 compensation, £100 to his partner’s son, £550 costs and an £85 surcharge.