Jealous man butted ex after meeting new love (From Worcester News)

Jealous man butted ex after meeting new love

7:00pm Friday 3rd September 2010 in

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A JEALOUS man head-butted his ex-girlfriend in the face after meeting her new partner, a court was told.

Paul Palmer admitted common assault after the attack on his former girlfriend which she claimed resulted in a cut above her left eyebrow.

Palmer, aged 48, of St John’s, St John’s, Worcester, admitted the assault and a bail act offence when he appeared before magistrates in Worcester.

The court heard how some angry texts were exchanged between the former couple which ended with Palmer turning up on her doorstep on the evening of Saturday, July 24. The woman, who split with Palmer a year ago, let him into the house with her new partner in the back garden whom Palmer went outside to meet.

Matt Dodson, prosecuting, said: “He went out into the garden and there was a verbal exchange between Mr Palmer and the new partner. He went to leave through the front door, followed by the victim. He turned back and said ‘you will get your comeuppance’. “She said ‘I already have – I met you’. His posture changed to one of aggression. She took one step back and he lunged forward and he head-butted her, connecting with the left eyebrow, forcing her back into the bannister. She received a small cut to that area.”

When arrested Palmer gave a statement to the police, telling them he had drunk four or five pints before he went round to his ex-partner’s address.

He told police in his statement, read out by Mr Dodson, that he was under the influence of drink but “wasn’t paralytic” and that his former partner “gave as good as she got” in the exchange.

Although he admitted head-butting his ex he disputed the force with which she claimed she was struck.

Mark Turnbull, defending, said Palmer had only recently been told about his ex-partner’s new relationship.

He said: “There were some feelings of jealousy. It was a head-butt – he accepts that. It was in a moment of frustration when both parties were arguing.” Mr Turnbull also said Palmer had been to see his GP for depression and had taken an overdose of alcohol and paracetamol which was why he missed his court appearance on Tuesday, August 31. He said Palmer had financial problems and was in rent and council tax arrears.

The case was adjourned for a full pre-sentence report to be prepared. The next hearing is scheduled to take place on Monday, October 4. The only condition of his bail was to co-operate with the probation service in the preparation of that report.

l Your Worcester News was the only member of the media at this hearing.