Drunken Wigan dad hit his partner in the face at hot tub party

A drunken Wigan father assaulted his partner after an argument broke out at the hot tub party they were hosting.
Wigan and Leigh Magistrates CourtWigan and Leigh Magistrates Court
Wigan and Leigh Magistrates Court

Mark Crook kicked and hit his now-ex, who is also the mother of their children, at their home in November.

But the 28-year-old, now of Reed Crescent in Worsley Mesnes, was let off with a conditional discharge, after evidence was heard the incident was “a one-off occurrence.”

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Magistrates at Wigan and Leigh courthouse heard how, on November 17, the couple (who have since separated) had been hosting a party at their home in Leigh, and had hired a hot tub for the festivities.

Attendees were drinking heavily throughout the night, and a “disagreement” between Crook and his partner Keeley Clark came about as a result of alcohol.

He left the hot tub as a result and retreated to the bedroom and began sending her text messages telling her to come inside, which she ignored.

Frustrated, Crook then turned off the power supply, interrupting the fun for everybody else at the party.

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Ms Clark eventually went back into the house to tell him he was being disruptive, and an argument blew up, the hearing was told.

It was while she was walking back down the stairs, and when her head was level with Crook’s leg, that he kicked out and struck her shoulder.

She stumbled slightly but did not receive any injuries, and carried on walking down the stairs.

When Ms Clark got to the bottom of the stairs, she stumbled again, and was struck again, this time in the face.

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Again, she sustained no injuries, but called the police after the attacks.

The prosecution told justices that, while being interviewed by police, Crook “did his utmost” to accept what he had done, but was unable to fully remember what had happened after having consumed too much alcohol.

However, he did say Ms Clark would not lie about such an incident.

Defending, Colin Rawson, told the court that Crook was a “hard working” family man of previous good character.

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Mr Rawson said: “The court can tell by my client’s nervousness that this is his first time in court.

“He is a hard-working young man. He is very much a family man who loves his children dearly.

“Regrettably, on this night, he had a little bit too much to drink.

“There were a few choice words through the evening.

“I appreciate the potential dangerousness of the situation, but she was able to walk away down the stairs.

Mr Rawson added: “We have a completely out of character situation here.”

In sentencing, the bench handed Crook a conditional discharge, and ordered him to pay £105 in court costs.