Heacham man given community order for kicking woman and threatening her with pitchfork

A Heacham man who kicked a woman and then threatened her with a pitchfork managed to avoid going to prison.

Sean Crowley, 39, of Benstead Close, appeared at Lynn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday where he admitted two offences of assault by beating.

Prosecutor Qamar Iqbal said that the first incident was on March 31, when Crowley was at home drinking with the victim.

Crowley went to get another drink but was told by the victim that she was saving it for a friend.

After that, Crowley became enraged and grabbed hold of the woman and kicked her in the vaginal area.

The victim described that the kick caused bruising and pain as well as bleeding and made it difficult for her to walk.

After Crowley was arrested, he was ordered as part of bail conditions not to contact the woman he assaulted.

However, he returned to the victim’s house on May 4 but was asked to leave.

She said she didn’t want Crowley to be there and he then picked up a pitchfork and pointed it at her and continued to gesture it as if he was going to stab her.

The woman shut the door and locked it, but Crowley continued to bang on the door before walking off and leaving the victim feeling “scared.”

Crowley has no previous convictions to his name.

In mitigation, George Sorrell said: “I have explained to him the court could consider that only a custodial sentence could be applied.

“It fills him with absolute fear, he became visibly shaken and he almost broke down.

“His behaviour could lead to the loss of his liberty.”

Mr Sorrell continued: “Give him the chance to address his behaviour. He has never been to prison before and is a man of good character.

“The second assault didn’t cause any harm.”

Magistrates, led by John Hare, gave Crowley a 24-month community order.

Mr Hare said: “You went round there knowing you were in breach of your bail conditions.”

Crowley was also given a six-month alcohol treatment requirement and 25 rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) days.

He was also fined £200 for both assaults and was ordered to pay £100 in compensation to the victim.