Gunner avoids jail for attack on partner
AN RAF serviceman launched a attack on his girlfriend during a blazing row.
Senior aircraftman Martin Parry left his victim with a swollen eye ‘the size of a tennis ball’ and a cheek wound ‘oozing blood’ after punching her repeatedly and ‘knocking her out cold’, a court heard.
The 38-year-old then drove at speed, braking hard, to try and dislodge the woman off the roof of his car as she tried to stop him from leaving their flat on Parklands Way, Poynton.
At Macclesfield magistrates’ court, Parry, now of Water Grove Road, Dukinfield, admitted assault and drink driving.
Magistrates sentenced Parry to a community order after his senior officer told them the ‘highly trained and respected’ Gunner would be dismissed from the RAF if he was jailed.
Parry has already experienced life behind bars. In 2001 he was jailed for seven years for causing death by dangerous driv- ing. Debbie Byrne, prosecuting, told the court that the latest incident at 2.30am on July 23 was witnessed by several people.
She said: “[A witness] saw them fighting inside a car outside a block of flats.
“He describes a male throw eight to ten punches in quick succession, knocking her out cold.
“He then dragged her by the leg out of the car. She remained motionless for about five minutes.”
Concerned witnesses approached the woman to check on her but were reassured by Parry, the court heard.
Mrs Byrne said: “The victim came around and was shouting and crying.
“She kicked the wing mirror clean off and climbed on the roof of the car.
“He was seen to move the car at speed and used the brakes to try and throw her off.
“He reversed again and again trying to get her off. Another witness said he was amazed the female had remained on the roof.”
The court heard that when police arrived Parry was breathalysed and recorded 52mg, above the legal limit of 35mg.
The victim had three weeks off work and ‘still has nightmares’ about the incident, the court heard.
Parry, defending himself, said: “I hurt the girl that I love.
“It was a stupid, mad moment.”
Parry was given 100 hours unpaid work, a restraining order and must pay £350 compensation.
He was also banned from driving for 16 months.