Window cleaner headbutted victim at court

The court was told how Joe Adam Barraclough (25) headbutted the victim, after taking the law into his own hands. Barraclough, who has a previous conviction for violence, claimed the victim had made threats.

The self-employed defendant, of Padiham Road, Burnley, admitted assault by beating, on November 7th. He was fined £200 and must pay £100 compensation and a £30 victim surcharge.

Mr Glen Smith (defending) told the hearing the victim had made "certain threats" about what he was going to do to the defendant, family members and his vehicle.

The solicitor said when the defendant found out the victim was appearing at court, he wanted to confront him. Mr Smith continued: "It was the victim's reaction to that when he came up the steps that caused him to behave in the way he did. It was a very, very brief exchange."

District Judge Meirion Lewis-Jones told Barraclough: "You took the law into your own hands when you came into this building and assaulted the victim. There may be a history between you, but that did not justify you behaving in the way that you did and you have got to understand that the courts won't tolerate this kind of behaviour."

The district judge said the defendant had pleaded guilty to what he had done. He added: "Although you have one previous conviction for an offence of violence, that was a much more serious matter and totally out of context with this behaviour."