CHRIS JOHNSON IN DERBY COURT OVER ASSAULT ON WIFE IN ALFRETON
A former scrap metal worker, Christopher Johnson, was taken into custody after an incident involving his wife.Derby Crown Court heard that Johnson assaulted his partner in a Derbyshire pub following England's victory over Sweden in the World Cup on July 7.
The assault led to his arrest and subsequent detention, as it resulted in a breach of his previous suspended sentence for burglary.
During mitigation, David Watts, representing the 35-year-old, stated: “Mrs Johnson is in court today and she has spoken to me at some length.
She says she is very keen for her husband to be back at home staying with her.
She suffers with anxiety, depression and she requires help with her medication from her husband, and she has mobility issues.
She needs help getting in and out of the bath and he has not been able to provide that for her for the past three weeks because he has been in custody.
She wants him back and considering she is the victim, that is strong mitigation.
It (the assault) was simply a push.
So any distress (she suffered) was very short term.” Prosecutor Gurdial Singh explained that Johnson, of Nottingham Road, Alfreton, had previously received a suspended sentence at the same court in March for burglary.
The earlier offense involved Johnson, a scrap metal worker dismissed from his job, targeting his former employer by breaking into the premises during the night, smashing a skip and roller doors with a forklift.
He, along with an accomplice, also attempted to steal over £3,500 worth of metal from the Chesterfield plant but was caught by police.
The recent incident occurred on July 7 at the King Alfred pub in High Street, Alfreton.
Mr Singh detailed that Johnson had been watching the England football match in the pub before leaving to walk home, believing his wife was with him.
When he returned to the pub for his keys, an argument ensued, during which he assaulted his wife.
“He did not have his keys with him so went back to the pub where there was an argument and during it he assaulted his wife,” said Mr Singh.
“She describes falling to the floor, and the defendant was arrested and interviewed, during which he said he pushed his wife over but did not intend to hurt her.” Because the assault breached his suspended sentence, Johnson was taken into custody.
He has a criminal record including 11 convictions for 19 offenses.
Johnson pleaded guilty to common assault and breaching his suspended sentence.
Judge John Wait sentenced him to a 12-month community order with 60 hours of unpaid work, noting: “It is not so serious that it warrants a custodial sentence because your partner is here in court continuing to offer you her support.”
