LEE KELLY INVOLVED IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN WOLSTANTON AFTER IRAQ AND NORTHERN IRELAND TOURS

Lee Kelly, a former soldier with a distinguished military background, has found himself at the center of a serious domestic violence incident in Wolstanton. Kelly, aged 48 and residing on Silverdale Road, was involved in a heated altercation with his ex-partner that escalated into a violent assault. According to court reports, the incident occurred during a confrontation that was fueled by alcohol consumption and emotional tension.

During the court proceedings, prosecutor Lee Stone detailed the severity of the attack, stating, "She reports he became aggressive, grabbing her and striking her. He headbutted her in the face and pinned her on the sofa." Mr. Stone emphasized the brutality of the assault by describing the headbutt as a weapon, equating it to a physical attack with a dangerous object. The incident was characterized as domestic violence, which added to its seriousness, especially considering Kelly's state of intoxication at the time.

Kelly admitted to the charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on an agreed basis, acknowledging his role in causing injuries to his ex-partner. During the incident, he used his head to strike her and employed cushions in an attempt to prevent her from hitting him, claiming that he overreacted in the heat of the moment. Kelly took responsibility for the injuries sustained by his partner and accepted that he was at fault.

His defense team argued that Kelly's actions were influenced by underlying mental health issues, specifically post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which they claimed were exacerbated by his excessive alcohol intake. The court was informed that the incident took place after Kelly and his ex-partner had been drinking together. The pair had returned to her home in Wolstanton following a day of Christmas shopping on November 24 of the previous year. The court heard that a disagreement during this visit prompted Kelly to leave but he later returned, leading to the violent confrontation.

Kelly's military background was also highlighted during the proceedings. He was honorably discharged from the Army after surviving a vehicle explosion that resulted in the deaths of three of his colleagues. Despite his military service, the court acknowledged the violent nature of the recent assault but ultimately sentenced Kelly to a 12-month prison term, which was suspended for 18 months. The sentence also included several conditions aimed at rehabilitation, such as an 18-month requirement to participate in rehabilitation activities, a 120-day alcohol abstinence monitoring program, and an 18-month restraining order preventing contact with his ex-partner.

Furthermore, Kelly was ordered to pay financial penalties, including £200 in compensation to his victim, £200 in court costs, and a £187 victim surcharge. The judge noted that while Kelly's actions crossed the threshold for custody, there was confidence in his potential for positive change and rehabilitation, especially considering his voluntary abstinence from alcohol since the incident. The court's decision reflected a balance between accountability and the hope for future reform.