WOMAN JAILED FOR ASSAULTING PARTNER OVER GEORGE MICHAEL MUSIC
A woman slapped and punched her partner after an argument over George Michael music.Merriman was drinking at an address in Sawley with her partner where she was making Sunday lunch and reminiscing about things she used to do at Christmas, and the reports DerbyshireLive.
She had been drinking at an address in Sawley with her partner where she was making Sunday lunch and reminiscing about things she used to do at Christmas, reports DerbyshireLive.
Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court heard that she became emotional and began arguing with her partner about music created by the former Wham star.
The argument escalated to name calling and the 54-year-old went on to assault her partner, drawing blood by scratching his face.
The victim went into the garage to escape from her and call the police.
Merriman sobbed in the dock as she received her punishment from the presiding magistrates who handed her a community order for her actions.
Susan Wilson, chairperson of the magistrate bench, said: “Obviously we have had a look at the report that has been prepared for us by the probation service.
“Clearly we had to take into account this was a domestic incident and that you have a previous similar offence.
“You have obtained support for your drinking and you have done that off your own back.
“You have support from your partner and that is also positive.
We are going to give you a community order for your actions.” Sarah Sanderson, prosecuting, said an argument broke out between the pair and the defendant started calling the victim names.
She said: "He tried to calm the situation and she has slapped him to the face.
“She punched him in the face, causing him no injury and she has then scratched him to the face using her nails and drawing blood.
“The defendant dropped a bottle on the floor injuring her own hand.
The victim has then left and gone into the garage to remove himself from the situation.
He phoned the police.” Ms Sanderson said Merriman heard the victim and pleaded with him not to call the police.
She then left the address.
The court heard the victim was at the back of the court to support the defendant.
The victim did not support the prosecution and no restraining order was required.
Asif Munir, mitigating, told the court Merrimen pleaded guilty at the first opportunity following the incident in December.
He said: “Her partner is at the back of court.
They were both at home on the day.
She was preparing Sunday lunch, she was preparing for Christmas.
“She was reminiscing when her father was alive about family customs, she was having a drink and she became distressed.
“Initially the argument was over George Michael's music, then there was name calling.
It is extremely regrettable she punches and scratches him to the face.
It lasts a short period of time.
The court heard how Merriman had taken steps to deal with alcohol and had even taken part in "Go Sober for October" prior to the incident, showing that she was “capable of staying off alcohol”.
She was handed a 12-month community order which included 100 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
She was then told to pay £85 in court costs and a £90 victim surcharge, taking her total to pay to £175.
