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11
Nov
Man admits punching girlfriend on Harrogate street
A Middlesborough man last week admitted to punching his girlfriend on a Harrogate street.
Jessie Clark, of Ormesby, pleaded guilty to one count of assault by beating at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Friday (November 8).
Mel Ibbotson, prosecuting, said Clark visiting the town with his now-ex-girlfriend – who was named in court – on March 30.
Ms Ibbotson played CCTV footage of the incident in court, which shows the pair arguing on Parliament Street.
The victim is seen walking away from Clark but he follows her, before things turn violent between them.
An off-duty police officer saw the incident and called the force to scene shortly after, the court heard.
The complainant told police Clark had “done nothing wrong”, Ms Ibbotson told the court, and officers did not notice any injuries on her.
Ms Ibbitson said, initially, they were both arrested on allegations of affray, but the crown prosecution service (CPS) did not pursue this and only Clark was charged with assault by beating.
She added Clark was taken to hospital after sustaining head injuries, which were believed to have been caused by him banging his head on the inside of the police vehicle.
Ms Ibbotson said the complainant “did not support” the prosecution and did not make any representations for the case.
Defendant was a ‘victim of assault’
Peter Minnikin, defending, told the court Clark pleaded guilty on the basis of the “two punches he threw”.
The court heard the couple came to Harrogate for a day out and had both been drinking.
Mr Minnikin said they got into a “minor argument” and the complainant assaulted Clark, which could be seen on the CCTV footage played in court.
He told the court:
He does not retaliate after she hits him.
She was drunk and Mr Clark was concerned for her. He wanted to get her home or to somewhere safe.
She then assaults him again – striking him over the head – but he does not retaliate.
The court heard the woman said something to Clark which “made him see red”, which led him to punch her twice in the head.
Mr Minnikin said Clark instantly regretted what he had done and told the court this is reflected in the CCTV footage, when the defendant goes over to his girlfriend to “check she is ok”.
He added:
He stayed with her, but she then hit him again. It’s clear he was a victim of assault.
The court heard Clark, 31, realised the relationship was “toxic” and broke things off not long after the incident.
Mr Minnikin said the defendant was recently diagnosed emotionally unstable personality disorder and ADHD, which would have affected his thought process that evening.
He told the court:
I can’t say he is a man of good character, but he does not have a violent record. He is not a violent individual and this was out of character.
I am not downplaying the seriousness of this offence – domestic violence is always serious – but this was deeply regrettable.
The magistrates – who questioned why the CPS did not take further action against the woman involved – told the court they were “surprised the other party [complainant] did not appear before the court”.
But Clark was ordered to pay a £40 fine, a £16 surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs.
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