Booze-fuelled man grabbed partner around the neck during row

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard on Wednesday, May 18, how Martin Munroe, 43, of Old Hall Road, Chesterfield, had been at his partner’s home in Wingerworth when he contacted her.

Prosecuting solicitor Angela Hadfield said: “The complainant gave a full account of the evening saying they live in different houses and he visits three times a week and he has a problem with alcohol and he has been violent in the past.

“There was an argument in the house with children downstairs while she was making a bed and he grabbed her with his right hand around her neck and pushed her towards a wall and then let go and said sorry.

“But the argument started again and Munroe pulled her top from behind causing it to rip and he placed both hands around her neck and applied force again. This wasn’t enough to cut off her breath but it was enough to restrain her.”

Munroe stopped and walked outside, according to Mrs Hadfield, and as his partner phoned the police Munroe also called officers and asked them to take him away.

The defendant told police he had assaulted his partner and that they had had an argument and that he has problems with alcohol and he is seeking anger management help.

The court also heard how Munroe is currently serving a community order after he struck his partner during a previous incident.

Munroe pleaded guilty to assault after the latest incident on May 5.

Defence solicitor Julie Page said: “He accepts he was drinking and he can’t recall what the argument was about but accepts he gets argumentative when he’s been drinking.”

Ms Page added that Munroe hopes to resume the relationship but it’s hoped that the couple do so slowly as the defendant gets his drinking under control.

Magistrates revoked Munroe’s existing community order and imposed a new 18 month community order with 12 days of a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement along with a Building Better Relationships programme.

He was also ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work and he must pay £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.