Cheating window cleaner attacked girlfriend

AN Oldham window cleaner saw red after his girlfriend threw him out and dumped his belongings in the street when she found out he had been cheating on her.

Dale Quinlan (27) lost his temper when he went round to her address to find clothing and items of sentimental value had disappeared.

Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court was told that in a fury, he kicked Amy Northrop’s front door open, then subjected her to a beating, slapping her around the head and face, pulling her hair and kicking her as she curled into a ball on the sofa.

Barrie Darby, prosecuting, said Ms Northrop, who works as a nurse, picked up her mobile phone and tried to call the police, but he snatched it from her and hurled it at the wall, smashing it to bits.

She fled outside wearing only a jumper and knickers and unsuccessfully tried to get help. When she returned inside, Quinlan again began slapping her before leaving the scene.

The court was told that the pair had been in a relationship for around a year before they split in December, 2013. They got back together in January, 2014, and she knew he’d had a sexual relationship with another woman in between but understood it was over.

On February 16, last year, however, she received a text message from the other woman suggesting Quinlan was still in a relationship with her.

She confronted him about it and he denied it, but she didn’t believe him and asked him to pick up his belongings.

She told him they were outside in the street, but when he arrived early the next morning they had all vanished.

After being arrested and questioned, Quinlan denied attacking her, claiming she had received her injuries during a row with another woman days earlier.

He also denied damaging her front door and phone. Trial dates were set, and eventually he admitted what he had done and pleaded guilty to two offences of common assault and two counts of criminal damage.

Paul MacDonald, defending, said their relationship had come to a “somewhat acrimonious end” and what had occurred had been the final temper-fuelled moments. He said his client had seen red when he discovered his belongings including his grandfather’s watch which had great sentimental value, had disappeared.

Quinlan, of Warrington Street, Oldham, was sentenced to a nine-month community order which includes taking part in an “Improving Relationships” programme, and 80 hours of unpaid work.

He was also made subject of a restraining order banning him from having any contact with Ms Northrop.

Speaking after the sentencing, Ms Northrop (25) said she was “disappointed” with the result, but was relieved to be able to put the event behind her.

Ms Northrop said: “He should have been sent to prison for what he did to me.

“I was scared for my life. It is upsetting that he has only been given a community order and I don’t believe he has shown any remorse.

“But I am glad it has finally been resolved and a restraining order has been imposed.

“It has been going on for over a year but now I can put it behind me and move on with my life.”