JOEL LYNCH

WARRINGTON MAN CAUGHT ASSAULTING WOMAN AND HURLING HOMOPHOBIC SLUR IN COURT

A THUG who punched a woman and pulled her by her hair has been given another chance by the courts.Joel Lynch also hurled a homophobic slur at a female police officer while he was in custody in Runcorn.The 35-year-old appeared before Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to assault by beating, using abusive or insulting words to cause alarm or distress, criminal damage and sending communication of an offensive nature.He also pleaded guilty to committing a further offence while subject to conditional discharge – which he was subject to for possessing cocaine and being drunk and disorderly.Prosecuting, Aaron Smith told the court how the offences happened on May 7 when Lynch formerly of Orford, Warrington, but now of no fixed abode, went round to his ex-partner’s house in the Orford area.He wasn’t allowed in so he began shouting and became aggressive and demanded that she let him into the property.The court heard that as the victim eventually came to open the door, he forced his way in barging past her before punching her in the face and pulling her by her hair.He then threw his phone in the air with such force that it damaged the ceiling.Police were subsequently called but Lynch ‘made off’ after smashing a car window outside of his ex-partner’s address.He was later arrested by police before being taken to custody in Runcorn where he became abusive.Mr Smith said how Lynch then swore at a female police officer before calling her a homophobic slur.He then proceeded to spit over the police cell.Warrington Magistrates’ Court heard how Lynch’s ex-partner suffered bruising from the attack.Lynch has 18 convictions for 23 offences, Mr Smith said.Defending, Nicky Johnson said how her client has accepted ‘full responsibility’ for the offences which she said is reflected in his guilty pleas.She said that since committing the offences, Lynch has spent three weeks in custody – a place she said that isn’t unfamiliar to him.But Ms Johnson said that Lynch is ‘relatively lightly convicted’ in recent times.She said: “I think regrettably it seems to me that his dealings with the criminal justice system have been a result of a loss of employment and when he has been struggling with his mental health.“But he is keen to take up any help that is offered to him.”Lynch was handed a two-year community order and must complete 45 rehabilitation activity requirement days and a Building Better Relationships Programme.He must also pay compensation to his ex-partner of £150 and £100 to the police officer he verbally abused.