Jealous ex dragged woman downstairs (From Worcester News)
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Jealous ex dragged woman downstairs
7:40pm Friday 7th September 2012 in News By Tarik Al Rasheed
A JEALOUS ex-boyfriend dragged a woman out of his bed, threw her down the stairs and pushed her naked out of his front door, a court was told.
Worcester Magistrates Court was told that Antony Hodgetts, aged 28, of Chedworth Drive, Warndon, Worcester, was in bed at his home with Nicola Johnson at about 4am on August 11.
Their relationship had ended about a month before and was on more of a “casual basis” at that point, said Mark Johnson, prosecuting.
As they lay in bed, an argument took place over an encounter Hodgetts believed Miss Johnson had with another man.
Mr Johnson said: “He dragged her out of the bedroom and pushed her down the stairs. She was then pushed naked out of the front door.” After shutting the door behind her, Hodgetts went upstairs, collected her belongings and threw them out to her.
Mr Johnson said the incident left Miss Johnson with bruised arms, bruising and grazing on her back and a cut on her leg. She was taken in by a neighbour who heard her crying outside and took a dressing gown out to her.
Mr Johnson said Hodgetts had about five pints of beer during the evening but maintained he was not drunk.
Hodgetts initially thought he had acted “reasonably” in ejecting her, but pleaded guilty to a charge of assault.
Mr Johnson said: “Miss Johnson suffered physical injuries but also the humiliation and distress of being put out of an address with no clothes.”
Hodgetts, who was unrepresented when he appeared at court, said he no longer had any contact with Miss Johnson. He was sorry for what had happened but lost his temper as he believed the encounter that led to their argument had happened just hours before.
He was given a 12-month community order, with 160 hours of unpaid work, and ordered to pay £200 compensation to Miss Johnson, as well as £85 costs.
He was also handed a restraining order banning him from making any contact with Miss Johnson for 12 months.
