2006: LEIGH MAN JAILED FOR ASSAULT AND ARSON AFTER THROTTLING PARTNER AND SETTING HOUSE ON FIRE
2006: A man deliberately set fire to his partner's residence two months after an incident where he confined her by strangulation on a hotel bed following a disagreement, a court was told.Andrew Burgess, aged 41 and residing on Oxford Street in Leigh, communicated via multiple text messages to Helen Marsh before surrendering to authorities.
He admitted guilt to charges of assault resulting in actual bodily harm and arson when he appeared at Liverpool Crown Court last Friday.
His sentence was two years in prison.
Evidence presented at the hearing revealed that on December 10 of the previous year, Burgess and Miss Marsh were attending an office Christmas gathering at the Lymm Hotel in Leigh.
Early the following morning, after a dispute with one of Miss Marsh's colleagues, they returned to their room and engaged in an argument.
Prosecutor Louise McCloskey detailed that Burgess threw Miss Marsh onto the bed and strangled her with his hands until she struggled to breathe, then slapped her across the face with the back of his hand.
She sustained a swollen jaw, redness on her neck, and scratches on her chest and arms.
Police responded and arrested Burgess, who admitted to the assault but claimed he did not intend to cause injury.
The court also heard that on February 25, Miss Marsh and her two daughters were at her mother’s house in Leigh when Burgess sent her a series of text messages.
The messages started with expressions of love but grew increasingly aggressive, ending with him apologizing and indicating plans to surrender himself.
Subsequently, Miss Marsh received a call informing her that her Patterdale Street home in Leigh was on fire; Burgess had broken into the property and set a duvet alight after drinking champagne.
The fire caused around £5,000 worth of damage from flames and smoke.
Defense attorney Geoffrey Whelan noted that Burgess struggled with alcohol dependence but was committed to seeking treatment.
