No jail for dad who broke partner’s arm with plank

A FATHER-OF-TWO who broke his girlfriend’s arm has escaped jail — after she waited five years to report him.

Darren Dunkerley (41) flew into a frenzy hitting Beverley Horsfield, his partner of 20 years, with a lump of wood.

But the case took five years to come to court because Miss Horsfield initially told hospital staff in 2003 that she didn’t know who had caused her injuries.

She eventually reported him in February this year but later retracted her statement. The couple are now reconciled.

Dunkerley, of Angelico Rise, Sholver, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm at Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, and was sentenced to a community order for two years, ordered to attend a domestic abuse programme and to pay £350 prosecution costs.

He was further sentenced for failing to turn up to court on one occasion and was fined £100.

Prosecuting, Emma Atkinson said: “They had been to the pub together. They returned home where their two children, aged 17 and 14, were and she said she was going to have a cigarette.

“The defendant armed himself with a 6in-wide, 2ft-long piece of wood and attacked her. Her arm was broken and the children were screaming for him to stop.

“The defendant took her to the hospital and that is the reason she didn’t say who inflicted the injuries,” said Miss Atkinson.

After reporting the incident on February 15 this year, five days later Miss Horsfield retracted her statement, saying the injuries had been sustained by a woman who attacked her while she was walking the dog.

Defending, Richard Vardon said: “Although they currently live apart they are reconciled.”

Sentencing Judge Leslie Hull said: “If you were before me in other circumstances it would be appropriate to sentence you to prison for a number of years, but I am bound to recognise that all of this was five years ago and there is no other recorded violence against her by you.”