A PUB licensee was assaulted by her ex-partner before he trashed a drinks dispenser, boiler and circuit board.
David John Rutter, 55, had lived with girlfriend Lindsay Williams of The Red Lion, Eaton Lane, Tarporley until a dispute over money on December 30.
At Chester Magistrates Court on Monday, Rutter pleaded guilty to assaulting Ms Williams and criminal damage when he returned on Sunday (January 6).
The pair had been together for five years and had been living on the premises but had not spoken to each other again until the events on Sunday.
Prosecutor Mairaed Neeson said: “At 3pm on January 6, Rutter returned to the pub. In the kitchen he started calling the victim names. He punched her in the back two or three times and in the arms, causing bruising and stiffness.
“She went outside and heard items being smashed inside.
“Rutter started shouting: ‘Give me the £100,000 you owe me and I’ll leave’. He kicked her in the leg and punched her in the stomach. He went back in and she could hear more items being smashed.”
On arrest, Rutter stated that he broke the Coke machine, boiler and circuit board because he had fixed them.
Defending solicitor David Finney argued his client pushed the victim twice and did not kick and punch.
He said: “Mr Rutter accepts the argument over money became physical and he made it physical. He accepts he’s stepped over the line completely when he’s lost his temper.”
Magistrates adjourned the case for sentence on January 28. Rutter was granted bail on condition that he does not contact the complainant.
