A MAN who believed his partner was flirting with others at a festival attacked her and her family members in a campervan, a court heard.

Christopher Perry, of Shakespeare Road in Neston, appeared at Mold Magistrates Court on Thursday. 

The 49-year-old had previously admitted three counts of assault by beating and two of criminal damage, all of which happened in Halkyn on July 31 last year.

Perry was in an 'on-off' relationship with  58-year-old victim Sandra Phillips in the 12 months leading up to the offence.

Prosecutor Rhian Jackson told the court that on the day of the offence, he had been invited to attend a festival in Halkyn with Ms Phillips, as well as her 63-year-old sister Susan Preece and brother-in-law (Susan's husband) Phillip Preece.

All parties, who were planning to stay in Mrs Preece's campervan, went out for the evening and initially appeared to be having a good time, the court heard.

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But a few hours later Perry argued with his partner, and when they all returned to the van he was refused entry due to his demeanour.

When he was eventually let back in, he became verbally aggressive, accusing Ms Phillips of 'seeing other people', then pushed Mrs Preece to the chest with his fist.

He proceeded to assault her, then pinned Mr Preece to the passenger seat.
When the sisters tried to pull him away, he pinned Ms Phillips by the throat and punched her.

The defendant also "ripped a table off the wall" and threw it at Mr Preece, whose glasses were broken in the incident.

Ms Phillips was left with a cut and lump to her head, as well as bruising and a swollen lip.

The court heard in the course of his actions, Perry had also punched both Mr and Mrs Preece.

When he was arrested, he confirmed he's consumed beer and half a bottle of gin.

He explained his partner went off dancing and he had become jealous and angry.

Zoe Keene, defending, told the court: "He was intoxicated and accepts he has to take responsibility for everything that flows from his actions in the van.

"It seems this is completely out of character for him. He's been in the same job for 20 years and is a model employee.

"And he accepts compensation is entirely appropriate."

District Judge Gwyn Jones told the defendant: "It is clear that on the night, you drank far more than was good for you.

"As a result, certain thoughts may have come into your mind; you thought your partner was flirting with another.

"You used significant unlawful force."

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The District Judge handed down a 12 month community sentence with 160 hours of unpaid work.

Perry was ordered to pay compensation of £500 to Ms Phillips, £100 to Mr Preece and £100 to Mrs Preece for the injuries, as well as £294 for the damage to the van and glasses.

Additionally, he must pay £85 costs and was made subject of a five year restraining order to prevent him from contacting or approaching the victims.