Burnley man jailed for knuckleduster assault in custody dispute

A man named Lee Green from Berridge Avenue, Burnley, was involved in an assault where he hit his partner's ex, Jeffrey Kay, across the face with a knuckleduster during a dispute related to a custody battle. The incident was highlighted during a court hearing, where Green was identified as being in a relationship with Sue Wilson, the mother of the children involved. The court heard that Green and Mr Kay had previous encounters: on August 7, 2021, Green called Mr Kay a ‘fat pr*ck’ and pushed his hand into Mr Kay’s face when they encountered each other while Mr Kay was out shopping with his children. A second confrontation occurred on August 10, 2021, in a park, where Green approached Mr Kay, threatening to kill him, and then attacked him with a knuckleduster, striking him near the eye and laughing before fleeing the scene. Mr Kay was found with blood on his face, treated at hospital for a wound and a suspected fractured eye socket, and was left with a scar. During sentencing at Preston Crown Court, Green pleaded guilty to assault by beating, wounding with intent, and possession of an offensive weapon. The judge, District Judge Paul Healey, sentenced Green to 27 months imprisonment and imposed a restraining order. The court noted that Green had recently abstained from alcohol and displayed a potential for rehabilitation. Green's actions occurred amid ongoing custody disputes, with mitigation from his lawyer, James Heyworth, emphasizing high tensions due to the family court proceedings.