A Cornishman arrested after being caught on CCTV launching a drunken attack on his girlfriend during a weekend London visit is “sickened by his behaviour” a court heard today (Tuesday).
Near shore driller George Anthony Matthews, 27, of The Steppes, Higher Penponds Road, Higher Penponds, Camborne had been drinking tequila slammers and beer for hours with his girlfriend before a row suddenly broke out.
He pleaded guilty at City of London Magistrates’ Court (pictured) to assaulting Talutha Landry, by beating, outside Blackfriars Train Station on November 2, last year and was given a nine-month supervision order and ordered to pay £75 costs.
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.
Prosecutor Mrs. Varinder Hayre told the court a witness in the near-deserted late-night street dialled 999.
“The witness heard Mr. Matthews calling his girlfriend a ‘fucking bitch’ and shouting ‘fuck you’ and threatening her.
“He pushed her over and she hit her head on the pavement and he kicked her while she was on the floor to the upper part of her body,” added Mrs. Hayre.
“The female was visibly distressed and the witness felt she must have sustained some injury.”
Ms. Landry ran off, but was chased and grabbed by Matthews. “He slapped her on the side of the face, causing the victim to fall backwards.”
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.
When shown the footage by police Matthews, who earns £35,000 a year, was visibly distressed and said he “felt sick” watching it.
His lawyer Mr. Roland Ellis told the court: “Mr. Matthews cannot fully explain what he did that day.
“He has suffered depression since he was a child and has been on medication, but had been unable to get a repeat prescription from his doctor in Cornwall.
“His job is stressful, he works twelve hour shifts, and unfortunately turned to excessive drinking. He is sickened by his behaviour, aghast at what is described.”
Since the attack Matthews has been attending counselling sessions and the couple remain living together despite the incident.
Ms. Landry begged police not to arrest Matthews – currently signed-off work for three weeks with depression - the night he attacked her and refused to go to hospital.
She urged police not to prosecute and refused to give a victim statement, urging counselling not a prosecution. “Their relationship is still strong,” explained the lawyer.
Ms. Landry and Matthews’ mother travelled with him to court for the sentencing. “She is in no way frightened of him,” added Mr. Ellis.
“This was reported in the local newspaper and has caused him great shame. It is a small community and now everybody knows what has gone on.”
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