News Family day turns nasty
A man launched a frenzied attack on his partner after they argued at a family barbecue.
Barry Duncan (29) is said to have punched, kicked and spat at Samantha Brammer after they argued at her parents' home.
To add insult to injury, he then poured a carton of milk over her head, Goole magistrates were told on Tuesday.
Mr Duncan, of Lime Tree Avenue in Goole, apeared at the town's magistrates' court this week, where he pleaded guilty to assault by beating.
The incident happened on June 8 this year following the family barbecue at Miss Brammer's parents' home.
John Owston, prosecuting, said Mr Duncan and his partner - who have been together for eight years and have two children - had a "tempestuous relationship" and were "not without fights in the past".
On the day Mr Duncan became drunk during the family barbecue and began arguing with Miss Brammer, who had stayed sober so she could keep an eye on her children.
Miss Brammer claimed Mr Duncan started slapping her in the face, causing her face to sting.
Mr Owston said Miss Brammer also claimed Mr Duncan spat in her face before leaving to go to the pub to give a CD to one of his friends.
He came back to the family home on Lime Tree Avenue at about 10.45pm and initially apologised to his partner.
But when she said his behaviour was unacceptable he attacked her again, Mr Owston told the court.
He added that Miss Brammer was kicked on the shin "about a dozen times" and then kicked in the stomach and ribs.
At one stage Miss Brammer was knocked to the ground but managed to get back on her feet.
But Mr Duncan pushed her against a sofa and pulled her hair, then punched her in the face, said Mr Owston.
Miss Brammer started to cry and pleaded with Mr Duncan to stop. She scurried into the kitchen but he followed her, grabbed her by the neck and poured a carton of milk over her head.
At that point one of their children, who had heard the commotion, came into the kitchen and the attack stopped.
Miss Brammer called the police but by the time they arrived Mr Duncan had left. He was later found hiding in a neighbour's garden and arrested.
Mr Owston told the court that, when officers arrived at their home it was "in some disarray'.
While being quizzed by police, Mr Duncan admitted there had been a "physical side" to his relationship with Miss Brammer.
He said he did not remember much of the incident but recalled pushing Miss Brammer against a sofa.
Mr Duncan - who was given a caution in April, 2004 for assaulting Miss Brammer in a previous incident - also told officers he had an injury to his hand where he had punched a chair instead of his partner. He denied punching Miss Brammer or spitting in her face.
Mr Graham Pressler, defending, said the couple had since been reconciled and there were no plans for them to split as a result of the attack.
He added that Mr Duncan was a "hard-working man' who bitterly regretted the incident.
Mr Pressler said neither Mr Duncan nor Miss Brammer were "shrinking violets", particularly when they had been drinking.
He appealed to magistrates not to send Mr Duncan to prison because he was the main bread-winner in his family.
"Their relationship is a strong and loving one," said Mr Pressler. "There has been behaviour that is reprehensible on both sides. Neither is an angel."
Mr Pressler added that Mr Duncan had been to see a doctor to get help for his drinking and was awaiting to be prescribed medication that would help him stay away from alcohol.
Chairman of the bench Bill Scott told Mr Duncan: "What happened on the day in question was a very nasty incident."
However, he said that Mr Duncan's commitments to his family had spared him a more severe sentence.
He was instead given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay £43 prosecution costs.
Published on 10th July 2008 in News.
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