Man smothered partner with cushion, court hears

A man smothered his partner with a cushion following a heavy drinking session, Lincoln Crown Court was told.
Lincoln Crown Court EMN-181120-124119001Lincoln Crown Court EMN-181120-124119001
Lincoln Crown Court EMN-181120-124119001

Gareth Penny made the 125 mile journey from his home in the north-east to visit his partner in Market Rasen in the middle of the lockdown but then began arguing after drinking.

Mark Achurch, prosecuting, told the court: “Both had been abstaining from alcohol for a significant period of time.

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“On this occasion they had been drinking heavily. In the living room they had an argument. He put a cushion over her face three or four times for six to seven seconds each time.”

When Penny was later arrested he told police that he reacted after his partner tried to bite his nose and grab his testicles.

Mr Achurch said: “He said he felt some regret with things. She had been saying to him that he had lost the plot.

“He accepts that he may at one point have put his hands on her neck. He admitted he may have caught her neck.”

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Penny, 59, of Harford Street, Middlesbrough, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm between 8 and 11 May this year. He was given a 12 month community order with up to 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Michael Cranmer-Brown, in mitigation, said Penny apologised for his behaviour when he was interviewed by police.

Mr Cranmer-Brown said: “It was a combination of drink and medication he wasn’t used to. She was encouraging him to drink.”

He said that Penny had been on a tagged curfew since May and so had already suffered some deprivation of liberty for what he did.