A MAN has appeared in court after being charged with assaulting a woman.

Brian John Williams faced the bench at South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court after he admitted assaulting a woman in Barrow by beating her.

The court was told the 51-year-old defendant had gone to the home of Paul Booker to have an argument with him, only for the victim, Susan Wright, to stand in his way.

As prosecutor Lee Dacre explained to the court, the incident happened on March 4.

He told magistrates: “The complainant was at her home.

“The defendant came around because he wanted to speak to Paul Booker, who lived at the address.

“His intention was to assault him.

“Ms Wright stood in the hallway.

“He pushed her.

“In interview he told police that he wanted to speak to Mr Booker because he believed he had caused damage to his flat."

Defending Williams, Karen Templeton told the court the defendant had walked away from the scene quickly and was forthcoming with the police.

She said: “Mr Williams admitted this in interview.

“He had gone to see Mr Booker about damage to his flat.

“Susan stood in the doorway.

“I would suggest there wasn’t much force used.

“She asked him to leave and it seems he did."

Ms Templeton added: “He was very forthright in interview.

“He does have a number of mental health issues.

“It’s not a sustained or repeated assault."

In sentencing him, chairman of the bench Stephen Sim told the defendant: “We have given you credit for your early guilty plea today.

“However this was a push into someone.

“But it was a single incident.”

Williams, of Barrow’s Schooner Street, was sentenced to a fine of £40 for the assault.

The defendant was also told to pay a victim surcharge of £32 and costs of £85 for bringing the case before the court.