Man said he was ‘making a bomb’ while partner was on the phone with police
Martin Lee, 39, of no fixed abode, was sentenced on Monday (February 24) in Bolton Crown Court.
Emmanuel Coniah, prosecuting, said that Lee and his partner had been in a relationship for about three years before the incident.
He said that the night of April 6, 2024, they were having “a romantic evening together at the victim’s home address” and were both drinking alcohol.
Mr Coniah said that they started to argue before things started to escalate.
He said: “The defendant then escalated the situation, smashing two ashtrays over her head and grabbing her neck with both hands.
“[He] restricted her breathing but she did not go unconscious.”
Lee’s partner called the police, while Lee was heard in the background saying that he was “making a bomb” and putting a hairspray bottle in the microwave.
Mr Coniah said that she then removed the hairspray bottle from the microwave and Lee left the scene before the police arrived.
He later returned and was arrested.
Mr Coniah said that the victim was vulnerable due to a heart condition which caused the death of both of her parents in 2020.
Michael Johnson, defending, said that Lee had been living in a hostel in Birmingham at the time of his court date so had made arrangements to stay with his sister.
However, on returning to Bolton Lee went to the victim’s address instead.
Mr Johnson said: “He went to apologise to the victim and had a little drink and he didn’t make it to his sister’s.
“Because of the drink that had been taken, he didn’t make it to court.
“That was in May, the warrant was issued in July and he was arrested by the police under warrant – there hasn’t been any further contact.”
Lee was arrested on July 17, 2024 and had been in custody for seven months by the time of his sentencing.
Mr Johnson said that alcohol played a large part in the original incident.
He said: “He wishes to move on and he accepts that at the time he was drinking far too much which played a significant part in the decision making behaviour which led to this disgraceful incident.”
The case was heard at Bolton Crown Court (Image: Newsquest) Have a story? Get in touch at eoin.mccaul@newsquest.co.uk
Judge Nicholas Clarke, hearing the case, said that he would note to the probation service Lee’s problem with “excessive drinking”.
He said: “She had the misfortune to be in a relationship with you for about three years at the time of the incident.
“You began to argue and you smashed two ashtrays over her head – they were used as weapons and caused a deep cut and an injury to her right eyebrow.
“She had called the emergency service whilst you continued to threaten her and she was naturally petrified.
“You ran away, being a coward.
“The offence is made the more serious because of the domestic context.
“The trust and love she gave you was returned by you smashing an ashtray against her head.”
Judge Clarke considered that Lee had one previous offence which was in 2008 and was “otherwise of good nature”.
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He sentenced him to 15 months and 14 days in custody for assault occasioning actual bodily harm and failing to attend court.
Since Lee had already been in custody for more than 40 per cent of the sentence, he was released immediately.
“But,” Judge Clarke added, “you must learn to keep your hands to yourself and not to beat the women with whom you are in a relationship with.”
Source – INDIA TV
