MAN JAILED AFTER ASSAULTING EX-GIRLFRIEND WITH A SPADE
Alan Falloon, aged 47, was given a prison sentence at Preston Crown Court on February 11 after pleading guilty to charges of affray and possessing a bladed weapon in a public area.Prosecutor Virginia Hayton explained that the incident took place at the defendant’s residence on Broad Close in Barrow at approximately 7:30 am on June 27 of the previous year.
During the opening of the case, Ms.
Hayton stated: “Police were called after reports of a dispute between a man and a woman on the street.
CCTV footage revealed the man grabbing a spade and striking the woman in the ribs with it.
He then picked up a sunbed and hurled it in her direction.
The woman told officers that the dispute began over financial issues and subsequently escalated.
She also reported that Falloon had physically assaulted her before fleeing the flat.” “She sustained injuries to her right foot, cuts to both calves, a shoulder wound, and bruising around her ribs.” Ms.
Hayton further informed the court that officers found a Stanley knife in Falloon’s jacket pocket during his arrest.
It was also noted that Falloon had an extensive criminal history, with 19 previous convictions covering 32 separate offences.
In mitigation, defence barrister Nicholas Clarke said Class A drugs were the catalyst for his client’s offending behaviour.
He added: “Drugs are the route of his problems.
When he was remanded in custody for these matters in November, he was offered a methadone prescription which he refused.
“However, for the first time in many years he is now clean from drugs and is committed to staying that way.
“He is a man who is capable of complying with a community order.
He has attended almost of all of his appointments with probation in the past.
“There is an opportunity which can be given here in relation to the potential of rehabilitation, but he appreciates he is in a precarious position.
His Honour Judge Darren Preston disagreed with the defendant’s barrister’s submission and concluded only an immediate custodial sentence could be justified.
Before jailing the defendant for 22 months, Judge Preston told Falloon: “You claim that this was lawful defence; that is preposterous.
"You failed to take any responsibility and blamed your victim, who you were in an off relationship with, for what you did to her.
“You have an appalling record with many previous offences committed in the context of domestic violence.
“There are no exceptional circumstances in this case whatsoever.
“You have to learn that you have a problem with violence from the ingestion of a huge number of drugs.
There is a pattern here of domestic violence which is rearing its head far too often.
“The principal cause of this offending is taking Class A drugs; not your mental health.”
