ELLAND MAN HANDED COMMUNITY ORDER AFTER VIOLENT HOME INVASION
A woman and her frightened partner were forced to barricade themselves in a bedroom when her ex, Mark Heppenstall, violently broke into their house.
Heppenstall, who was intoxicated with alcohol and drugs, used a patio chair as a weapon by breaking off the leg and damaging the double-glazed door to gain entry to the property in Scapegoat Hill.
Upon entering, he attacked both of them, headbutting her new partner repeatedly as he tried to defend her.
The victim described feeling like a prisoner and too scared to go out because of Heppenstall.
Prosecuting lawyer Vanessa Jones explained, “He picked up a patio chair, broke the leg off and damaged the double glazed door.
They (the couple) ran upstairs and barricaded themselves in a bedroom.
However, Mr Heppenstall entered the house and came upstairs.
She ran from the bedroom and Mr Heppenstall then ran after her, pulling her hair and dragging her along the ground.
She fell to the floor.
He (her partner) was trying to intervene to protect her.” During the struggle, her partner grabbed a hammer but Heppenstall managed to take it away.
He then headbutted him several more times, causing them to fall to the floor again.
The court was told that Heppenstall lunged and headbutted the victim, leading to a temporary loss of vision, and her feeling of anxiety and worry that her family would face further violence from him.
The victim's partner expressed his fears that they would be further assaulted and that he felt anxious.
Sonia Kidd, representing Heppenstall, admitted that the offences were 'unpleasant'.
She explained, “This gentleman was upset after seeing the victim with her new partner.
He believed he was still in a relationship with her, even if on-off.
He was under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and acted inappropriately.
He has since reduced his alcohol and drug use dramatically.” Magistrates sentenced Heppenstall to a community order, which includes six months of drug treatment, a 33-day relationship program, 150 hours of unpaid work, and ordered him to pay compensation of £500 to each victim, along with other court costs and a restraining order for two years banning contact with victims or visiting their residence.
Court Outcome
Conviction and Sentencing Details
Sentenced
Detected legal outcome
lcohol and drugs, and acted inappropriately. He has since reduced his alcohol and drug use dramatically." Magistrates sentenced Heppenstall to a community order, which includes six months of drug treatment, a 33-day relationship program,...
Community order
150 hours
He has since reduced his alcohol and drug use dramatically." Magistrates sentenced Heppenstall to a community order, which includes six months of drug treatment, a 33-day relationship program, 150 hours of unpaid work, and ordered him to pay compensation of 500 to each victim, along with other court costs and a restraining order for two years banning contact with victims or visiting their residence
Court order
150 hours
He has since reduced his alcohol and drug use dramatically." Magistrates sentenced Heppenstall to a community order, which includes six months of drug treatment, a 33-day relationship program, 150 hours of unpaid work, and ordered him to pay compensation of 500 to each victim, along with other court costs and a restraining order for two years banning contact with victims or visiting their residence
Fine or payment
six months
He has since reduced his alcohol and drug use dramatically." Magistrates sentenced Heppenstall to a community order, which includes six months of drug treatment, a 33-day relationship program, 150 hours of unpaid work, and ordered him to pay compensation of 500 to each victim, along with other court costs and a restraining order for two years banning contact with victims or visiting their residence
