10:50am Tuesday 16th March 2010
SECURITY guards at a Worcester shopping centre watched in horror as cameras filmed a woman being seriously assaulted by her partner.
The guards were so concerned about the level of violence, they went to the aid of Jackie Dayus.
When they reached her she was still being attacked by her partner of two years Patrick Hulburd.
Sentencing Hulburd to five months in prison, magistrates said they were “appalled” by the incident, which happened at 8.30pm on Tuesday, March 9, as the couple walked through CrownGate shopping centre.
The arguing couple had been seen by security officers watching on CCTV.
But they left their posts after they became concerned for the wellbeing of Ms Dayus when Hulburd pushed her against the wall and headbutted her.
One of the security guards later told police: “I was astonished by what happened next.”
Hulburd took Ms Dayus’s head between his hands and drove it towards the wall with such force she collapsed to the ground.
Another witness said she too had seen him headbutt her, as well as punches to her body.
“In my opinion, they were meant to hurt her,” she said.
Liam Finch, prosecuting at Worcester Magistrates Court, said: “Police are extremely concerned for the welfare of this lady.”
But Miss Dayus refused to press charges and refused medical attention after the attack.
Mark Sheward, in mitigation, said Hulburd did not have a history of violence and all previous convictions had been related to alcohol.
“They do not drink every day but when they get their giros on a Tuesday they go out and drink excessively,” he said.
“He does not dispute what the witnesses say as he has no recollection.
“What is disputed is the level of violence attributed to him. She did not want to make a complaint and a police officer said he could not see any injuries on her.”
Mr Sheward said Hulburd, aged 41, of Stone Court, Colwall, near Malvern, was “shocked” by his behaviour.The presiding magistrate Michael Brazier said: “As a bench we are appalled by what we have heard and the assault you perpetrated on a lady in a public place.
“An assault which was so serious even hardened security guards had to go to find out what was wrong. Being drunk and having no recollection is no excuse at all.”
Hulburd admitted common assault.
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