A 17-YEAR-OLD boy was left with scratches on his neck after being pinned against a wall by a man he taunted while following him through Dalton.
Stephen John Cooper is said to have “lost his rag” when he grabbed the teenager by the throat, holding him for around ten seconds. The 57-year-old, of Chapel Street, Dalton pleaded guilty to assault by beating during a hearing at Furness and District Magistrates Court on Tuesday (11).
Mr Lee Dacre, prosecuting, told the court the incident took place in Dalton town centre on Saturday March 25, when the victim had been hanging around with a group of youths. One of the victim’s friends had approached Cooper and asked if he had any vapour for her e-cigarette, at which point the defendant went over and told the victim that he was being very disrespectful towards women.
The boy asked what he was talking about, at which point Cooper, who appeared drunk, repeated himself. Cooper is then said to have grabbed him by the neck with his left hand and, the victim claims, swung his right hand near his face.
The teenager told police Cooper’s grip was “really strong” and that he was struggling to breathe, the court heard. The boy was released when two of his friends pulled the defendant from him, and was left with scratch marks on his neck.
Miss Amy Watkin, defending, told the court Cooper denies swinging at the boy but accepts grabbing him.
The defendant had been struggling with his mental health and family issues, she said, and had gone out for a walk to try and clear his head. He had heard the group of teenagers walking behind him, trying to get his attention, and the victim in particular was making his presence known and making joking remarks.
Miss Watkin said: “He states these teenagers had been following him for some time and he’s essentially lost his rag. He said he has grabbed the one responsible for the jeering and name-calling and he’s pinned him to the wall by his throat.
“He regretted it and apologised to the lad there and then, as soon as he regained composure. He’s very remorseful, and says he’s gutted and embarrassed.”
Miss Watkin added that Cooper had been self-medicating with alcohol to deal with his personal issues, and “highly doubted” that he would have acted in that way had he not been drinking. He has already attended group sessions for counselling around his alcohol intake and is seeking one-on-one support.
Sentencing Cooper, presiding magistrate, Chris Harris acknowledged the potential provocation he had faced. He fined him £40 and ordered no compensation to be paid to the victim. Cooper will also pay £50 towards court costs and a £30 victim surcharge.
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