MARK BOND OF RUNCORN AND WIDNES SENTENCED AFTER DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ANIMAL ATTACKS

Mark Bond, a resident of Whitebeam Close, Windmill Hill, Runcorn, with connections to Widnes, has been convicted of a series of violent offenses that include assaulting a woman, her newborn baby, and a French bulldog puppy named Reggie. Despite his conviction, Bond was allowed to walk free from court, raising concerns about the justice process in this case.

Bond, born on May 4, 1992, has a documented history of domestic abuse dating back to 2009. The recent incident involved a heated argument with his then-girlfriend, who was also the mother of his new-born child. During this altercation, Bond targeted Reggie, the family’s French bulldog puppy, and attacked it viciously. Witnesses reported that Bond’s violence escalated when his partner pleaded with him to cease hurting the puppy. Instead of stopping, Bond redirected his aggression towards her, physically assaulting her by hitting her arms and the back of her head.

The situation worsened when some of Bond’s blows struck his two-week-old baby daughter, causing minor injuries. Bond, however, maintained that he did not intend to harm the child and claimed that he was merely trying to push the puppy off the bed. There was no evidence to suggest that Reggie was severely injured, and as a result, Bond was not charged with animal cruelty. Nonetheless, the incident highlighted his pattern of violent behavior.

Further back in his history, Bond had previously assaulted the same woman while she was pregnant, including an incident where he pushed his fists into her stomach. These repeated acts of violence underscore a troubling pattern of domestic abuse.

During the court proceedings, Bond was found guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He also admitted to criminal damage and assault charges. The presiding judge, the Honorary Recorder of Liverpool, Judge Andrew Menary KC, addressed Bond directly, emphasizing the severity of his conduct. Judge Menary pointed out that Bond clearly has “a real problem with drink,” which appears to contribute significantly to his violent tendencies, especially towards intimate partners.

He described Bond’s behavior as “outrageous,” characterizing it as “arrogant, bullying, drunken behavior.” The judge detailed how Bond had physically assaulted his partner multiple times, including hitting her and punching her in the stomach during episodes of intoxication. The court also heard that while Bond was on bail, he again lost his temper, striking his partner and her two-week-old baby, an act that was deemed particularly egregious.

In light of these offenses, Judge Menary sentenced Bond to a 12-month imprisonment, suspended for 18 months. Additional conditions included a 120-day alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement, participation in a relationships program, and a 20-day rehabilitation activity. Furthermore, Bond was issued a two-year restraining order to prevent any contact with the victims. The judge acknowledged that while immediate custody might be considered, an alternative approach involving rehabilitation and monitoring would better serve both society and Bond’s prospects for change.