Wedding guest in court for attacking teen

Young dad Paul Glover (23) who had been drinking at the celebrations, lunged at the 17-year-old and punched him on September 18th, in Nelson.

Glover had also “recklessly pushed” Laura Crossley, the mother of his child, as he went to attack the teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Burnley magistrates were told how Glover has a record for assaulting Ms Crossley. He claimed the teenager, who he thought was 18, had made threats to sort him out. Ms Crossley, he would say, had said she was scared of the teenager as he had been threatening towards her.

Glover, of Rakeshouse Road, Nelson, admitted two counts of assault by beating and one of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour. The defendant, who was said to be terrified of going to prison, received eight weeks in jail, suspended for a year, with a 60 day rehabilitation activity requirement and the Building Better Relationships programme. He was also given a 12 month restraining order and was ordered to pay £125 compensation, £85 costs, an £80 victim surcharge and a £150 criminal courts charge.

Janet Sime (defending) said he had his child with him at the wedding, Ms Crossley had turned up, said she wanted a drink and it was agreed they would take the youngster home to be looked after and go back to the wedding.

The solicitor continued: “When he goes into the room, he sees this lad sat there. He was very confused, he lunged at him, knocked him to the floor and attacked him.

“He had been at a wedding all day, had been drinking and clearly saw red. He just saw him , wondered what he was doing there, flew at him and then left when she pointed out it was ok for him to be there.”