2014: JAILED: MAN WHO ATTACKED FRIEND AND GIRLFRIEND WITH BATH PANEL AND PRESSURE COOKER LID IN ROW OVER £20 BENEFIT PAYMENT
A man who assaulted his partner Donna Thompson on May 22 also visited his friend James Williams, hitting him over the head with a pressure cooker lid.The incidents were triggered after a benefit payment meant for Oakley and Miss Thompson’s joint account failed to arrive.
Oakley, who was homeless, had been drinking with Mr.
Williams and Miss Thompson on May 21, borrowing £20 from his friend and promising to repay it once his payment was received at midnight.
According to Bolton Crown Court, around midnight, Miss Thompson left their home on Bromwich Street in The Haulgh to check if the money had been deposited.
She returned shortly after to report the payment had not come through, which led Oakley to accuse her of stealing the funds.
The dispute escalated to an upstairs bathroom, where Oakley punched Miss Thompson in the lip and then struck her with a bath panel.
She responded by smashing a mirror with a nearby object, causing Oakley to step back, after which she fled to her father’s flat for safety.
Later that morning, at about 4 am, Oakley went to Mr.
Williams’s residence on Emmanuel Place asking about Miss Thompson’s whereabouts.
When Mr.
Williams said he did not know, Oakley attacked him, resulting in head injuries that required five stitches.
Oakley, who is 52 years old, has a criminal record with 24 convictions dating back to 1979, including a three-year prison sentence for wounding with intent.
He admitted to causing grievous bodily harm to Miss Thompson and inflicting actual bodily harm on Mr.
Williams.
Judge Timothy Stead remarked: “You engaged in a quarrel over a small amount of money.
Thankfully, Mr.
Williams did not suffer serious brain injuries.
Your assault on Miss Thompson was particularly serious, as she is less capable of defending herself.
Both victims have expressed fear of you due to your actions.”
