Thug attacked TV star’s boyfriend
Reporter: COURT REPORTER
Date published: 02 September 2009
Punch fractured jaw in three places
GREENFIELD actress Hollie-Jay Bowes was forced to save her boyfriend from a baying hoodie who smashed his jaw during a vicious assault.
Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court heard that the 20-year old “Hollyoaks” star had to rush blood-spattered Martin Shepherdson (23) into a cab just moments after she saw the beating outside the Walkabout bar in Yorkshire Street last October.
Derker thug Jake Albison (20) recognised Hollie-Jay from her role as Michaela McQueen in the Channel 4 soap and began taunting her and shouting abuse.
As the couple walked away, Albison pushed Martin in the back before punching him in the face when he turned round.
Hollie-Jay and Martin rushed to hospital where it was found his jaw was fractured in three places.
A court heard Albison was later himself subjected to a beating but it was not known whether it was related to the attack on Hollie-Jay’s boyfriend.
Albison, of Mayfield Road, admitted causing grievous bodily harm but escaped jail with a 36-week sentence suspended for two years. He was also ordered to complete 300 hours unpaid work.
The couple were targeted as they left Walkabout to get a taxi. Albison spotted them and began shouting, “Hollyoaks Hollyoaks”.
Mr Paul O’Brien, prosecuting, said: “He then pushed Martin in the back. Martin turned to ask him what was going on when he was punched in the face.
“His girlfriend at this point bundled him into a taxi, it was clear that his injuries were serious and the couple went straight to the Royal Oldham hospital.
“Mr Shepherdson had his jaw fractured in three places and he was transferred to Manchester Infirmary for surgery.’’
Father-of-one Albison was identified by CCTV footage and was arrested a month later. He claimed he had thrown a single punch at the victim.
The court heard he had cautions for shoplifting and public order matters.
Mr O’Brien added: “The defendant received somewhat of a beating after the offence but of course we do not know that this is related.”
Defence counsel John Gregg said: “In the cold light of day he knows what he did on that night almost a year ago and what he risked.
‘’He has proved that he can stay out of trouble, he has done for the last year.”
Sentencing, Judge Yvonne Coppel, said: “This was a serious assault on a young man who’s girlfriend you had been taunting because you recognised her from a TV programme.
“You pushed and hit him in an unprovoked attack. You have shown very little in terms of remorse.’’
