Bleach thrown over girlfriend’s head after row

Daniel Downes was at home with his girlfriend Zowie Small on February 27, prosecutor Jennifer Fitzgerald said. The couple began discussing money as Ms Small had recently lost her job and Downes accused her of not contributing to the finances, High Peak Magistrates’ Court heard.

He then picked up a bucket that contained water, bleach and other cleaning products that Ms Small had been using earlier and threw it over her head.

Police were called and arrived to find Downes sat on the sofa of their Platt Street home drinking beer and Ms Small upstairs washing her eyes and face. Downes was arrested and Ms Small later attended Tameside General Hospital where her eyes were washed and she was given ointment.

In interview, Downes said he had consumed a “fair amount” of alcohol and admitted that he had thrown the bucket over Ms Small. He said he had not given any thought to what the contents of the bucket might be.

The 37-year-old admitted assault by beating.

Magistrates adjourned the case until April 7 for a pre-sentence report with all sentencing options open.