Jail let-off for attack on girlfriend

A VIOLENT thug who hit his girlfriend with a stick after head-butting her has avoided prison.

Andrew Wild (28) of Bredbury Street, Chadderton, pleaded guilty at Oldham Magistrates’ Court yesterday to beating Victoria Lees.

The court heard how In an unprovoked, drunken rage in the early hours of May 12, Wild abused Miss Lees in their home before pinning her to the kitchen wall by the throat, grabbing her by the jaw and headbutting her.

Later he threw her on to their bed, grabbed a wooden stick and struck her in the stomach.

The couple had been on separate nights out with friends before the attack. Wild sent abusive text messages to his girlfriend’s phone while she was on her way home. One said he wanted to end the relationship.

Wild told police later he was very drunk at the time and had no recollection of the events. Miss Lees suffered bruising to the left side of her neck, a grazed back, swollen forehead and bruised stomach.

Magistrate Riaz Ahmad said: “This was a very serious assault. I understand that it was done under the influence of alcohol but this is not an excuse.”

Wild was given an 18-month community order and ordered to complete an alcohol awareness course and to carry out 40 hours of unpaid work, as well as paying £395 in compensation and costs.

The couple hope to reconcile their relationship.