Thursday 7 January 2010

Cornish Culture Visits The Capital!


A drunken Camborne man, caught on CCTV kicking and slapping his girlfriend following an all-day drinking session in London, was told he might go to prison.

Near shore driller George Anthony Matthews, 27, of Higher Penponds Road, Higher Penponds, had been drinking tequila slammers and beer for hours with his girlfriend before the row suddenly broke out.

He pleaded guilty at City of London Magistrates’ Court to assaulting Talutha Landry, by beating, outside Blackfriars Train Station (pictured) on November 2, last year.

“The bench has seen the recording of the offence which is quite depressing,” said Chairman Nick Anstee, the Lord Mayor of London. “We think it is a serious offence and are asking for reports. All options are open, including custody.”

Matthews, currently employed on a short-term contract in the capital, was visited that weekend by his girlfriend of three years, Ms. Landry, who did not want to press charges.

The CCTV camera captures Matthews pushing her over in the middle of the road, then pushing her over again on the pavement and landing a kick with his right foot as she lies on the ground.

Ms. Landry struggles to her feet and is pursued by Matthews who appears to grab her around the throat, slaps her face, causing her to fall again, then follows-up with another slap.

The only passer-by in the near-deserted street calls 999 and officers arrest the defendant, despite his girlfriend’s protests.

“The victim made it quite clear she was not interested,” said prosecutor Miss Regina Naughton. “The officers noticed she was rubbing her jaw and advised her to go to hospital.

“Mr. Matthew was arrested and said they had been out drinking in the West End and his memory was hazy. He had been drinking tequila slammers and bottles of beer.

“He confirmed it was him attacking his partner on CCTV and felt sick about attacking her.”

Matthews’ lawyer Mr. Roland Ellis told the court: “They went out drinking heavily all day and he can give no explanation.

“It is clearly a very nasty incident and there are no excuses and no explanation as to why this occurred.

“They are still together. They have a relationship and there have been no further incidents, in fact, this was the first,” added Mr. Ellis.

“He is mortified by this incident and has taken steps to seek counselling as to why this happened. He has already seen psychotherapist Simon Carter in Cornwall.”

Matthews was bailed unconditionally until January 26 for probation reports.

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