2 weeks Ago
AN ill-tempered domestic abuser who assaulted his girlfriend at their family home will not have to pay a £1,000 fine because he doesn’t have the money. Richard Graves, 43, grabbed his former partner by the throat and pushed her over at their address in Colchester after they had a disagreement over a set of bifold doors. When a neighbour tried to intervene, Graves then yelled at them in what a judge called an “extreme” loss of temper, Ipswich Crown Court heard.
Benedict Peers, prosecuting, said a dispute over whether the bifold doors should be open sparked a heated disagreement which escalated when Graves grabbed his partner and shoved her out of the room. The victim responded by headbutting Graves who retaliated by shoving her over and leaving her with a cut on her leg. When a neighbour heard the commotion and tried to intervene, Graves then shouted abuse at them and intimidated them before the police were called and arrested the defendant.
Graves, who now lives in a caravan in Highfield Grange Park, Clacton, was charged with actual bodily harm and using threatening language to cause fear or distress. He denied both charges but later changed his pleas, admitting to using threatening language and a lesser charge of common assault. Stephen Garbett, mitigating, said Graves had no intention of contacting his ex-partner and that he had been punished because he was remanded in custody for six weeks after the incident.
He added Graves then served a curfew and had been tagged using electronic trail monitoring equipment. Sentencing Graves, Recorder Tom Day said the defendant took “no responsibility whatsoever” for his actions. He said: “You portrayed yourself as a victim.
” Graves was ordered to pay £1,630 but the fine was rescinded because he was on benefits and did not have the money to pay. After speaking to his client, Mr Garbett added Graves’s benefits had been reduced because he failed to attend a universal credit meeting. Recorder Day said: “In the circumstances, I will make no order for costs.
” Graves was ordered to serve a one-year community order which will involve 15 rehabilitation days. He was also given a restraining order preventing him from contacting his victim for two years..
