Sheffield man assaulted partner in drunken row when he made a grab for her bag

Matthew Hardy admitted assault following the incident on June 29 last year in Cemetery Road, Dronfield, when he appeared before Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, July 16.

Prosecuting, Michael Little told the court that the pair had been out drinking from mi-afternoon and Hardy, 41, of Harwood Gardens, Sheffield, had downed at least eight pints of beer.

Following the row, he got it into his head that the relationship was over and went to get keys to retrieve his possessions from their home by reaching into her bag and accidentally struck her in the face, the court heard.

Mitigating, Rachel Wilson said: “The complainant has described the relationship as perfect until the night in question. He went to grab her bag and his hand made contact with her face. He doesn’t accept that he’s a binge drinker. He has to stay sober for work and is often tested for drink and drugs.”

Sentencing, District Judge Jonathan Taaffe said: “I can sum up in one word why this incident happened . . . booze. You say you’re not a binge drinker but you’ve gone out and had at least eight pints of beer. A gallon of beer can change lives forever.”

He fined Hardy £400 and ordered him to pay £200 costs, £200 compensation and a £32 victim surcharge.

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