A SCAFFOLDER who punched and dragged his screaming wife by the hair up a flight of stairs in a drunken rage was given a 12 week suspended sentence.
Gary Leonard Rowlands, of Blacon Avenue, Blacon, pleaded guilty to assaulting Joy Rowlands, his wife of five years, at their home on Saturday, October 25, at about 1am.
Chester Magistrates Court heard on Monday (November 17) that Rowlands, 37, who has problems with depression and alcohol, was shopping with his wife and stepdaughter when he got stressed and went for a drink.
Amanda Roberts, prosecuting, said: “He arrived home after a heavy drinking session and knocked on the door to get in. He grabbed her by the hair and neck and demanded to know where some money from a car that had been sold was.
“He marched up the stairs maintaining his grip and his wife felt blows around the head. He was shouting ‘our marriage is over’ and ‘don’t lie about the money or I’ll kill you’.”
Knowing he wasn’t going to get any more money, Rowlands dragged his wife back down stairs and left the house. His wife then called the police.
Stephen Ferns, defending, said: “He knows what he did was wrong and is genuinely remorseful. He is extremely upset about what happened and angry with himself. He is facing up to what happened and trying to change. He has had a drink problem for 24 years of his life but he is now in a place where he can sort things out.”
Rowlands was given a 12 week jail sentence suspended for two years, placed on a domestic violence programme and given a two year supervision order. He will also pay costs of £43.
Chair magistrate Susan Witter said: “The injuries to the victim were physical and emotional. The main purpose of this sentence is punishment, the second is rehabilitation.”
