Jealous Barnoldswick man attacked partner after night out

Burnley magistrates were told how drunk Ricky Aggus (29) punched Stacie Honeyman twice and she had to go to hospital as she couldn’t see out of her badly swollen left eye.

The victim also suffered bruises and abrasions when she was trying to flee from the defendant and he was said to have dragged her back into the house by her ankles.

The court heard how Aggus and Ms Honeyman had been on a night out with friends to Manchester. Her ex-partner had also been there and once home the defendant and the victim had rowed. He had then launched the sustained assault.

Aggus, of Wellhouse Square, admitted assault by beating on October 15th. The defendant, who fought back tears in the dock, received 12 weeks in prison, suspended for a year, with 120 hours unpaid work.

He was ordered to pay £100 compensation and was given a 12-month restraining order, banning him from contacting Ms Honeyman and from going to her home. He had no previous convictions.

Mrs Alex Mann (prosecuting) told the hearing Ms Honeyman’s injuries were serious. The pair had been together for about four years.

Mrs Mann said: “She says he is aggressive on occasion. This incident happened out of drink and jealousy.

“They had an amicable night out, but coincidentally her ex-partner was also out and once they got back home it seems the defendant’s incapability to deal with that level of jealousy has caused this to happen.”

Mr Peter King (defending) said Aggus recalled pulling Ms Honeyman back into the house by her hip, but certainly there were two punches.

Mr King said: “He did take hold of her to try and bring her back into the house to avoid the escalation of what was happening in the public domain. There was no intention on his part of sustaining the assault beyond that.”

He added: “Copious amounts of alcohol had been consumed by everybody. He was, to his credit he accepts, much the worse for drink than she was and there was then an argument. He accepts it was born out of jealousy.”

Mr King said a neighbour heard the commotion and was present when police arrived. Aggus immediately expressed remorse.

Mr King said: “His comment to the neighbour at the time of his arrest was ‘tell her I’m sorry’ and he started to cry.

“That was his demeanour whilst at the police station and now before the court. He is clearly upset at what he has done, not about the consequences for him.”