Troubled Chesterfield teenager assaulted care worker who went to help him turn on toaster

A troubled Chesterfield teenager told magistrates that he had not intended to headbutt a careworker who came to help him at the sheltered housing complex he lives in.
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Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court was told on Friday, July 31, that 18-year-old George Richards had headbutted the man because he was getting frustrated that he couldn’t get a toaster to work.

And when the carer went into the kitchen and explained that the toaster wasn’t switched on, he assaulted him, said Sarah Haslam, prosecuting.

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George Richards appeared before Chesterfield Magistrates' Court.George Richards appeared before Chesterfield Magistrates' Court.
George Richards appeared before Chesterfield Magistrates' Court.
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“He spotted the defendant getting frustrated with a toaster and when he went into the vitchem and explained that it wasn’t switched on, he headbutted him and broke his glasses,” she said. “He then went into the office and smashed a first aid kit against the wall in frustration.

“He was interviewed by police and apologised. He said he pushed his head into the complainants but he did not headbutt him.”

Mitigating, Ben Brown, said that Richards, of Toll Bar Cottage, Chesterfield Road, Hardstoft, had a range of mental health issues, including autism and ADHD.

He said: “He was immensely frustrated and anxious and he was struggling in the kitchen. He says he was trying to push the complainant out of the way. It’s not accepted that he deliberately headbutted him.

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“The complainant picked him up from the police station and they reconciled, and both parties have put the matter behind them.”

Richards, who admitted assault, was given an 18-month conditional discharge, and ordered to pay £170 in compensation, £85 costs and a £21 victim surcharge.

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