Businessman spared jail after attacks on woman and girl

In a drunken rage Lee Turner, who runs Farnworth-based Luxdel Homes threw an object at his partner, cutting her face.

And when a teenager tried to intervene, he attacked her too.

Bolton Court Court heard how how 43-year-old Turner had returned to his Osbourne Close, Farnworth, home after work at 5.30pm on November 28, last year and began drinking vodka.

But Hugh McKee, prosecuting, told how an argument broke out with his partner later in the evening over a comment Turner had posted on Facebook about a woman.

"He became argumentative and began to list the dislikes that he had in relation to her, so much so that she went to bed at about 11.30pm," said Mr McKee.

Lee Turner

She later returned downstairs but Turner "snapped" when she diluted a drink he had made for her because it was too strong.

"He told her to pack her stuff and he would take her home in the morning," said Mr McKee.

But the court heard that he followed her into the kitchen and threw a cannister of pasta at her, hitting and cutting her above the eye before grabbing her by the throat and pressing her against the wall.

Lee Turner's victim

A schoolgirl at the house heard what was happening and screamed at him to stop.

But Turner turned his attention to the teenager and attacked her, pinning her to a bed.

Turner's girlfriend intervened, telling him to assault her instead, which he did, picking her up and throwing her into the bathroom before turning his attention back towards the girl.

The incident ended when Turner took himself to bed and his victims rang police, who arrived to find Christmas decorations strewn in the street and Turner in his bedroom.

When questioned by police he denied committing a crime.

Lee Turner

"He said he had got home from work, started putting up the Christmas decorations and denied the assaults," said Mr McKee.

He eventually pleaded guilty to assaulting the girl and causing actual bodily harm to his partner, who he claimed was hurt when a Christmas decoration he threw towards her, smashed.

Thomas Worsfold, defending, stressed that Turner has no previous convictions .

"The defendant accepts that these offences have had a profound affect on both complainants," said Mr Worsfold.

"He also realises that his previous good character has been lost forever.

"He is not only remorseful but reflective of his actions.

"It is, in many ways, a very sad incident."

Judge Timothy Stead sentenced Turner to 12 months in prison for causing actual bodily harm and three months for assaulting the girl, suspended for two years and ordered him to participate in 25 days of rehabilitation activities and pay £425 towards prosecution costs.

"I am sure you, as an intelligent man, realise that it is a shameful position to be standing in the dock of a crown court at your age — a man not previously convicted, who has behaved atrociously," he told him.

"I am satisfied you are sincerely remorseful for what happened.

"The prospect of rehabilitation is very strong in your case."