Binding order for man who admitted assault

Monday 12 September 2016

A man who has suffered “bullying and harassment” was handed a nine-month binding order after admitting charges of assault and breaching the peace.

The Magistrate’s Court on Friday heard James Frederick Allen, 46, admitted both offences, committed on April 30, when he pushed his victim, causing no injuries.

Defending Advocate Sarah Dale said Allen’s offence was “at the lower end of the scale.”

She said: “The defendant feels he has been prosecuted and persecuted. He makes no excuse for the incident but he has been subject to bullying, harassment and a tirade of abuse. He has suffered mentally and as such his business has suffered because at times he has not felt able to leave his house. 

“This has had a severe impact on his life. At the time of the offence he was pretty much at breaking point. He now owes around £30,000 in debt because of what has been going on. He has been suffering for the past two years and spent two weeks in custody, which he feels is sufficient punishment. 

“His life is now starting to come together. He is hopeful about his business and he feels it will be back up and running very quickly.”

Allen was sentenced to the nine-month binding order for both offences.