Court allows father to go on holiday with partner he battered ALEX SCAPENS
ADAD who beat his partner so violently she feared for her life has had his bail conditions relaxed so he can go on holiday to Greece with her and their two children.
Craig Ward, 34, of Reddish, was ordered not to contact girlfriend Helen Denham after he admitted drunkenly assaulting her at Stockport Magistrates’ Court at the end of last month.
But he returned to the court to ask for this condition to be lifted for two weeks so the pair could enjoy a family holiday in Kos, which started on Wednesday (May 6).
Despite police domestic violence officers expressing concerns magistrates agreed.
Chairman of the bench John Davis said: “We are minded to grant the exception for the sake of the children.
“You can only contact Helen Denham for the duration of that period. Don’t drink too much on holiday.”
Mark Angus, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said Ward returned home from watching football on April 12 but Ms Denham initially refused to let him in as he was drunk.
He added: “He has continued to punch her to her face, to her arms. So much so she said she thought she wouldn’t see her children again.
“He cannot remember whether he used his fists or not because of intoxication.
“Police have concerns. A risk assessment has been done by the domestic violence unit, obviously they are concerned.
“It is hoped the relationship will get back on track.”
Mr Angus added that Ward was remorseful and that Ms Denham wanted the bail condition lifting so the holiday could go ahead as planned. She also will not seek a restraining order at sentencing.
He normally lives at the couple’s address on Selbourne Close but is currently staying on Clifton Drive South, in Lytham St Annes.
The condition will be relaxed until May 21. Ward has yet to be sentenced and will be back in court on May 27.
It was said that the holiday had been booked 10 months ago.
Ward represented himself at the hearing and when asked if he wanted to say anything about his request he said: “No it is pretty much as it is.”
He only spoke again to agree to the magistrate’s request not to drink too much.