‘SHE WAS TRYING TO SUPPORT YOU AND THAT WAS THROWN BACK IN HER FACE’
Man attacked girlfriend and sold her stuff for drugs
A GRIEVING dad attacked his girlfriend and sold her belongings for drugs while in the grip of a monkey dust addiction.
David Higgins had been in an on-off relationship with the woman for about a year.
During that time, the 32-year-old stole her tablet, a coat and bank card, as well as damaging a window at her home. After splitting up, Higgins threatened to slit her throat and steal her pets.
But Stoke-on-trent Crown Court heard the victim is ‘prepared to give the relationship another go’ once he is released from custody.
Prosecutor Rhia Abukhalil said: “Near the beginning of the relationship he stayed at her address. She left her keys outside for her parents. He saw her do this. He entered her home and took a tablet worth £180. He said he sold it for drugs.
“He asked to borrow a coat worth £170 and sold it for drugs. On November 13 the bathroom window was smashed. He had smashed it and stolen two bottles of perfume. He took her bank card and withdrew £80.
“The pair then separated but he continued to attend her property and stand in her back garden. He sent nine voicemails saying he would slit her throat and steal her pets.
“He showed up at her house in breach of his bail conditions. She allowed him to stay the night as she knew he had nowhere else to go.
“He asked her for a lift in the morning. He took her mobile phone and refused to give it back. He held her by the throat. He then put her in a headlock. She had to hit him with a dog bowl for him to let go.”
The court heard the pair then went to a petrol station where she withdrew money and then ran away from him. She then returned and an attendant pressed the panic button.
Higgins, of Ripon Road, Blurton, was arrested and interviewed. He gave no comment but later pleaded guilty to theft, harassment, assault by beating and criminal damage.
His girlfriend said she was ‘scared’ and ‘feared for her safety’, but did not wish the prosecution to go ahead.
Defending, Paul Cliff said his client – who has 36 previous convictions – is bereaved after his three-year-old child died in tragic circumstances. He said: “He is ashamed of his behaviour. He has spent just short of three months on remand.
“She was sending money to him and he is wearing clothes today that she has provided. She is visiting him in prison on a regular basis. He was at a low point and had an addiction to monkey dust.
“His behaviour was very poor. He has now undertaken several courses to deal with some of the issues which he has. He has sought help for his mental health. Depression has been a factor since the loss of his child. She is prepared to give things another go on his release.”
Sentencing him to eight months in prison, Judge Graeme Smith said: “It is something that you are and should be ashamed of. She was trying to support you and that was thrown back in her face by taking things from her and using violence against her.
“It’s a testament to her resilience that she continues to support you. She can see that this is not the real you. You turned to drugs and it’s something you’re now able to address.”