A JUDGE described a court case of a man with mental health difficulties who assaulted another vulnerable woman in a supported living accommodation centre in Barrow as a ‘very sad case’.

James Billingham, 36, of Abbey Road, pleaded guilty to a single count of common assault after originally being indited with intentional strangulation.

It was accepted by the Crown Prosecution Service that no further evidence would be required on that charge.

Jabbari Mercedeh, prosecuting, said the defendant put his arms around the complainant’s neck and then pushed her onto the sofa after she continued to scream out loud.

She told the court the incident occurred in the lounge area of Glen Garth House in Barrow around 7.45pm on February 4 when members of staff were present.

She explained the defendant originally acknowledged the woman, who was non-verbal, to be screaming, but then ‘bobbed down’ to her eye level and told her to ‘shut up’ multiple times before assaulting her.

There were no injuries sustained to the victim, and the defendant made no comment responses in police interview, the court heard.

The defendant had various mental health difficulties including diagnoses of schizophrenia, Asperger’s syndrome, autism, bipolar and multiple personality disorder, the court heard.

In mitigation Brendan O’Leary, representing the defendant, said: “This offence was committed within supported accommodation where he was living to assist with his mental health difficulties.

“He is a vulnerable individual but he recognises that he would like assistance with his anger management. He wishes to be able to manage this kind of situation in the future.”

The court heard the defendant had ten previous convictions including for battery and for assaulting a police constable.

Sentencing the defendant to a 12-month community order and 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days, His Honour Judge Ian Unsworth KC, said: “This is a very sad case from both yours and the complainant’s perspective.

“I have to deal with how I approach this sentencing exercise with particular sensitivity and care. I do not think this case crosses the custody threshold, but I do think it crosses the community threshold and warrants a community order.”