Walsall man chased woman with garden fork and threw ex over bush

Andrew Gunter had split up with his girlfriend and had moved out of the property. But Wolverhampton Crown Court heard that he returned and caused a disturbance after a drinking session on June 23.

Mr Paul Farrow, prosecuting, said the defendant, aged 30, called at Marie Wood's address on Pelsall Lane, Rushall, at 11pm.

A number of children along with her house guest Robyn Williams and her partner were present.

"She went to the door spoke to the defendant, but would not let him in. He told her he wanted to collect an axe that he had left behind, but she didn't know what he was talking about.

"Her friend Miss Williams also went to the door and he tried to push pass to get in. They told him to calm down. He kicked out and his foot made contact with her arm.

"When Miss Williams' partner came downstairs to see what was happening he called him racist names.

"He was again asked to leave. Miss Wood's own 13-year-old daughter, who was up, was crying and screaming as a result of the trouble.

"The defendant grabbed a fork from the garden and chased Robyn Williams' partner down the road with it in his hand. He then came back to the property where he struck the car window causing it to break.

"The defendant then grabbed Miss Wood, picked her up and threw her over a waist-high bush causing two of her fingernails to rip off and bleed. When she got up the defendant had gone," Mr Farrow said.

Gunter, of Earls Road, Rushall, who has previous convictions, admitted affray and causing criminal damage earlier.

Miss Lisa Hancox, defending, said he had reconciled with Miss Wood and had been in custody since June 25.

"He has served the majority of the sentence that he will get. Although it is a serious matter, it's not at the higher end," she said.