Love triangle caretaker assault case scrapped

THE trial of a primary school caretaker accused of assaulting a young woman was dramatically halted and scrapped yesterday.

Tameside magistrates in Ashton were asked by the prosecution to dismiss the case because there was no clear evidence that Mark Gee’s actions were anything other than self-defence.

The dramatic U-turn ended a case of high drama in which the court heard evidence of Mr Gee’s tangled love life.

Mr Gee (26), of Arbour Road, Holts, is caretaker at Mills Hill Primary School in Chadderton, but was suspended during the course of legal action.

Police were called to Leam Street, Ashton, on December 15, last year, following reports that a woman had been assaulted.

Patrick Williamson, prosecuting, said there were three characters involved — Mr Gee and his female friends Jamie Gill and Kelly Hargreaves.

Gee was originally involved in a relationship with Jamie Gill. But when the pair separated, he took up with Kelly Hargreaves — before returning to Ms Gill.

The court heard how, on an evening of heavy drinking, Ms Gill thought she heard Mr Gee telling Kelly Hargreaves that he did not care about her.

Ms Gill then threw a punch at Mr Gee. To restrain her, he pinned her down on the floor. She said there had been an assault.

But he said he was just defending himself against her violence.

The court heard conflicting statements from Jamie Gill and Kelly Hargreaves about what happened that night.

William Staunton, defending, who was waiting to give his summing-up, said this was an emotional triangle. The prosecution said there was a clear conflict of evidence between the two women and asked for the case to be dismissed. Magistrates agreed.