Man assaulted his girlfriend in public

Passers-by intervene in assault

A MAN bullied and assaulted his girlfriend in the street until disgusted witnesses intervened, Newbury magistrates heard.

In the dock on Thursday, March 17, was 39-year-old, self employed bricklayer Daniel Mark Stonehill-Brooks.

Helen Waite, prosecuting, said: “This is a case of domestic violence. He and the aggrieved, Jane Waterhouse, had been out for the evening, socialising and drinking.

“At some point the defendant wanted to leave and roughly handled his girlfriend.

“He grabbed her and tried to march her out of the hotel door. She went towards the lifts but he chased after her, grabbed her by the arm and pushed his face into hers in an aggressive manner.”

She added: “He marched her out the door and, once outside, grabbed her round the bottom of her chin.

“She was dragged along, struggling, until, they got to a car. He then grabbed a fistful of her hair and pulled her down towards the ground. The victim was visibly distressed.”

At this point two men intervened, the court heard – an off-duty special constable and another male – and Mr Stonehill-Brooks, who lives in Rodway Road, Tilehurst, apologised for his behaviour.

He admitted assaulting Ms Waterhouse by beating her on February 20 but Ms Waite told magistrates: “This is a case where the aggrieved has not made a statement of complaint.”

Indeed, said Stephen Collins, defending, “Ms Waterhouse is supportive of him and is here in court this morning”.

He conceded his client has “something of a record” for previous convictions but pointed out that none were for offences of violence.

Mr Collins added: “Drink played a part in this heated exchange.

“He expressed remorse at the time of his interview and he expresses it now.”

Magistrates fined Mr Stonehouse-Brooks £300 and ordered him to pay £85 costs plus a £20 victim surcharge.