DRUNK MUM BRANDISHED GOLF CLUB IN MASS BRAWL
She was ‘trying to defend home’
A DRUNKEN mum was filmed brandishing a golf club as a street brawl erupted outside her home.
Claire Heaton was at her address in Moffat Grove, Bentilee, when men turned up. Stoke-on-trent Crown Court heard the men – including two brothers
– had issues with her now ex-partner and attempted to storm the house.
It was at this point that Heaton, aged 41, armed herself with the club to defend her home.
She was heard shouting that her children were inside.
Neighbours reported the disturbance at 7pm on August 6, 2020 after hearing shouting in the street and spotted a man with a machete. One of them started filming.
Prosecutor Rupert Jones said: “The activity was recorded by a neighbour. Heaton had a golf club. Another man had a knife.
“There was a lot of shouting between the parties. A man took the golf club from her.
“It lasted about six minutes in total.”
Heaton – who has previous convictions for battery and being drunk and disorderly dating back to 2000 and the 1990s – answered ‘no comment’ when interviewed by police. She pleaded guilty to one charge of affray.
The court heard Heaton has since left her relationship, which was abusive, and is now in a better place in her life.
Jason Holt, mitigating, said: “At no stage did she leave her property. Two men tried to get in through the gate and blows were exchanged. Her former partner was threatened.
“She armed herself to try to prevent them entering further. She knows she could have handled it differently.
“She felt it wasn’t appropriate to leave her partner in the garden by himself. Things have moved on in three years. She was the subject of an 11-year abusive relationship.
“She works 16 hours a week and has a 10-year-old son.
“She sometimes drinks socially – she was in drink at the time, but there are no problems there.”
Heaton, now of of Adderley Green, was handed a 12-month community order and 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
Two other men – brothers Kasim Chan, aged 31, and Anis Idrees, aged 30 – involved in the disturbance were handed suspended prison sentences last month.
Sentencing, Judge Sally Hancox said: “The golf club is being waved but she doesn’t do anything close to a blow.
“It’s a pretty unpleasant and troubling set of circumstances.
“Trouble came to your door; you were trying to protect your home and family. Your behaviour did fall into criminally unacceptable.
“I am not going to send you to prison.”