A PENSIONER punched his ex-wife leaving her with bruises the 'size of a cricket ball' in an incident 'fuelled by alcohol and jealousy', a court heard.

Alan Parsons, 82, of Priorsfield Road in Liverpool, appeared before Mold Crown Court on Tuesday, May 9.

He had previously pleaded guilty to actual bodily harm (ABH) and threats to kill.

Brian Treadwell, prosecuting, told the court that the incidents had taken place on the morning of August 14, 2022.

Parsons had previously been married to the complainant, Dorothy Keoghan, but the couple had been divorced for a decade, the court was told.

However, when the defendant had become homeless, Ms Keoghan had told him he could stay with her for a few days at her sheltered accommodation in Gwersyllt.

She had shown 'sympathy' towards him in his time of need, however, Parsons himself later admitted to having 'outstayed his welcome'.

On the morning of that day in August, an argument ensued and Parsons said he would 'go tomorrow'.

But, he then proceeded to carry out a verbal and physical assault on his former wife.

Parsons punched the complainant 'repeatedly' to her left arm and was caught on a recording device repeating the phrase 'I'm going to kill you' several times.

READ MORE

Ms Keoghan pulled the warden alarm and tried to run away from the scene, the court heard.

Following the incident, she was left with two 'severe' bruises to her arm - described in court as being 'roughly the size of a cricket ball'.

Police attended the scene and Parsons told them he had hit his ex-wife, before becoming 'aggressive' with officers as they arrested him.

Mr Treadwell said that the defendant had one previous conviction for common assault against his ex-wife back in 2004.

Simran Garcha, defending Parsons, said that he and his ex-wife had a long and chequered history.

The defendant had struggled to come to terms with the fact the relationship had ended, the court heard.

On the day of the incidents, he had been drinking and had challenged Ms Keoghan over a relationship with another man.

It was said to have been an incident 'fuelled by alcohol and jealousy'.

Ms Garcha told the court that Parsons has shown 'deep remorse' following the attack and 'regrets resorting to physical violence'.

Since the incidents, he has carried out 30 appointments with an alcohol care team to address his drinking problems.

He himself now lives in sheltered accommodation and struggles with ill health.

Two mini-strokes have left him with mobility problems, as well as feelings of confusion, Ms Garcha concluded.

Judge Timothy Petts sentenced Parsons to 15 months for the ABH and 12 months for the threats to kill, to run concurrently.

The sentence was suspended for a period of 18 months and Parsons will have to carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He will also be subject to an alcohol monitoring requirement tag for 120 days.

A restraining order was made 'until further notice' and Parsons was ordered to pay £250 compensation.