Judge clears ‘GBH’ lover of all charges

A man alleged to have “mercilessly” beaten his estranged girlfriend while high on drink and drugs has been cleared of all charges following a trial.

A jury of eight women and four men unanimously found 24-year old Richard Gleave innocent of what had been described as a frenzied and sustained attack on 18 year old Megan Birch on March 30.

Judge Angela Nield said following the verdict at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court, that she had concerns that a knife allegedly used by Mr Gleave to stab Ms Birch in the legs and face had never been subject to forensic examination. Nor was it produced in evidence.

The judge was critical too, of the fact that though the jury had been furnished with photographs showing swellings, cuts and bruises to her face, and two black eyes, there had been no medical evidence to give jurors expert opinion.

She said: “I am not suggesting the absence of this evidence is reflected in the jury verdict, but it is of concern and should have been detected at an early stage.”

The jury was told Gleave, who was drunk and had cannabis on the night of the incident in Clarksfield, had launched the attack on the mother of his child without provocation.

He was said to have pounded her with his fists, repeatedly stamped on her head then stabbed her in the legs and face.

He was then said to have attacked another of the group, Paul Thompson, when he tried to intervene.

Summing up at the end of the four-day trial, Paul MacDonald, defending, said Mr Thomson’s account had been riddled with inconsistencies. He suggested he had been a “wholly unreliable witness”.

Mr Gleave was found not guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, unlawfully causing grievous bodily harm, assault, and criminal damage.