Attempt to heal rift ended in broken wrist

A MAN assaulted his father’s girlfriend while trying to end a family feud, a court has heard.

Mark Taylor (35), of Hinton Grove, Hyde, wanted to heal a rift between himself and Carol Sugden but became angry when she refused to speak to him.

He grabbed Ms Sugden at her home in Huddersfield Road, Springhead, and during a violent struggle she suffered a broken wrist.

Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, was told Ms Sugden was also punched during the assault although Taylor said he only grabbed her by the wrist and she fell down.

Taylor was convicted of assault earlier this year after he failed to attend Oldham Magistrates’ Court for trial. He was subsequently arrested and sent to crown court for sentence.

Taylor was given six months’ jail suspended for 18 months and ordered to undergo a substance-related offending programme to deal with his drink problem. He was also ordered to pay £750 compensation.

The hearing was told the incident occurred in May last year. Taylor began seeing a woman himself and decided to introduce her to his father. During the meeting it was suggested that Taylor might go to Ms Sugden’s home to sort out their differences.

But when he knocked on the door, Ms Sugden refused to speak to him and the argument began.

The court heard Taylor’s father had since died. It was also told Taylor had convictions for wounding, affray, battery, drink-driving, aggravated vehicle taking and criminal damage.

In mitigation, Taylor was said to have settled down with the girlfriend he had introduced to his father. His new job earned him a minimum salary of £16,000.

Passing sentence, Judge Timothy Mort said: “I’m sure you know your behaviour is completely different when under the influence.”