2016: MAN WHO ATTACKED GIRLFRIEND JAILED FOR 20 MONTHS FOR RESTRAINING ORDER BREACH
A man who violated a restraining order for the fifth time was sentenced to 20 months in prison.Neil John Carney, a resident of Atherton, was serving a suspended sentence at the time of his latest breach and had previously been recalled to prison following an assault on his girlfriend and another violation of the order, a court was told.
Despite causing severe facial bruising to his victim, Carney, aged 44, was only charged with common assault, prompting a judge to instruct a senior CPS lawyer to review why he was not facing a more serious charge of assault causing actual bodily harm.
Judge Stephen Everett expressed his dissatisfaction with this decision, noting that it was made by at least two CPS lawyers and limited his sentencing options.
The judge remarked, “I am extremely unhappy about it.” He highlighted that Carney had violated the restraining order very soon after it had been issued.
“You just don’t give two hoots,” the judge noted.
Besides the jail sentence, Carney, from Bag Lane, Atherton, was given an indefinite restraining order to prevent him from approaching the victim or entering her street.
Prosecutor Jamie Baxter told Liverpool Crown Court that Carney and his partner had been together for approximately two years.
On December 8, 2014, Carney had already been found guilty of two battery offenses and breaching a two-year restraining order.
However, on July 10 of this year, they rekindled their relationship.
While at her home, Carney drank heavily and an argument ensued.
He punched her three times in the face, banged her head, shouted threats, and attempted to strangle her, Baxter said.
The woman managed to escape and called the police.
When arrested, Carney admitted to hitting her.
She sustained significant bruising to her eye, eye socket, forehead, and cheek, along with redness on her scalp.
Her other eye was swollen, and she experienced rib pain.
Defense lawyer Katy Appleton stated that Carney could not recall the incident but acknowledged his responsibility and expressed remorse.
