A WALNEY man who ran across a busy street to confront his former partner has been convicted of assault.

Wayne McCormack, 28, of Thames Road, Walney, was accused of common assault after approaching his former partner on May 19.

The court heard that McCormack crossed Dalton Road to confront Sarah Arnold, 27, shouting abuse at her, forming a fist, and goading his staffie-boxer cross to jump up at her.

When asked by prosecutor Peter Kelly what she thought McCormack was going to do, she said: "He was going to hurt me, hit me or something. He was dead angry."

Defence solicitor Tristan Roberts said that his client was not trying to hurt Miss Arnold, but stop her recording him on her smartphone.

Miss Arnold said that she had been instructed to record McCormack after he had acted aggressively towards her before.

She said: "I started to record as he's done nothing but give me abuse when he sees me in town. My solicitor told me to record him next time."

After McCormack approached her, Miss Arnold ran into the doorway of B&M Bargains to get out of the way.

As this happened she told the court that he continued to shout, verbally abusing her.

She said: "He was saying 'you're a fat slag; you look about eight months pregnant.'"

Miss Arnold's complaint was supported by CCTV evidence shown to the court, and the testimony of her current partner, Daniel Treen, 25, who was with her during the assault.

McCormack was found guilty of common assault.

Presiding Magistrate Catherine Alexander said that he had put Miss Arnold at fear of violence.

She said: "We are satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that an assault took place."

McCormack was ordered to pay a £120 fine, £200 in court costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

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