Jealous Norwich man gets one last chance

JEALOUS NORWICH MAN GETS ONE LAST CHANCE

A jealous Norwich man who attacked a woman he met through the internet has been given a last chance and ordered to keep away from the victim for the next five years.

Norwich Crown Court heard that Gary Dakin, 44, attacked Diane Fairbrother after another male friend visited her.

Douglas Mackay, prosecuting, said that after the friend left, Dakin argued with Ms Fairbrother, pulled her hair, and slapped her across the face, causing her to fall to the ground with a black eye and a cut to her head, from which she lost two litres of blood.

She was taken to the hospital for observation.

Ms Fairbrother reported suffering headaches, flashbacks, and had to throw away a bloodstained carpet.

Dakin was arrested at his home in Bullard Road, Old Catton, where cannabis plants were found.

Dakin admitted causing actual bodily harm and producing cannabis.

He had prior convictions for growing cannabis and a public order offence involving another partner.

He was sentenced to 12 months in jail, suspended for two years, and placed on a two-year supervision program including domestic abuse treatment.

He was also banned from contacting Ms Fairbrother or going near her home for five years.

Judge Paul Downes warned him: 'It's the last time you get this chance.' Guy Ayers, for Dakin, said he and Ms Fairbrother had been drinking that day and he was 'tetchy,' accepting he grabbed her hair and slapped her, which caused her to fall and injure her head.