A former boxer beat up her ex-boyfriend in a busy pub after he was caught with another woman. Anna Hambleton, who used to compete in White Collar Boxing, wrestled him to the ground while friend Louise Brown threw punches to the back of his head.
The assault took place on March 11 in front of shocked regulars at the Golden Hind Pub in Offerton, Stockport. The man was also poked in the face and kicked in the back by Hambleton, 35, and Brown, 53. Former fighter Hambleton had been neighbours with the man but they had been in a bitter feud since their break up, Tameside Magistrates' Court heard.
The women claimed in the weeks leading up to their attack the man had thrown paint stripper and eggs on Hambleton's car and had also smashed the windows of her house. She had been drinking heavily with Brown in the lead up to what amounted to a revenge attack, the court heard.
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Robin Lynch, prosecuting, told the court: "The complainant was having a drink with another woman in the Golden Hind pub in Offerton. Both defendants had been drinking together at home and later the defendants entered the pub and saw him. They were both in drink and approached the complainant.
"Miss Hambleton began to push her finger close to the complainant’s face and began to shout at him. During this time, Miss Brown punched the complainant in the back of the head a number of times. Miss Hambleton then tackled the complainant to the ground and punched him whilst Miss Brown kicked him in the back several times. The defendants walked off and returned shortly to shout at the complainant."
Police were called to the pub with the pair taken to Stockport Police Station where they both replied no comment to interview questions. They later claimed they could recall nothing of the incident, the court heard.
In mitigation for mum-of-four Hambleton and mum-of-five Brown, defence lawyer Michelle Mann said: “As we all know there are two sides to every story and this case is no exception. Miss Hambleton and the complainant started a relationship in approximately early 2020 and it ended in September 2021. The pair met due to their close proximity, only living two doors apart from each other on a street in Offerton. They were on and off for the entirety of their relationship.
"In one of their off periods, the complainant threw paint stripper over her car bonnet. She reported the incident to the police. However, as is often the case with on-off relationships, the pair got back together.
''Yet soon after they broke up again and in response, the complainant again threw paint stripper and eggs at the car. Hambleton, who was out at the time, was then followed by the complainant back to her house. Once inside the complainant smashed her car windows. Hambleton called the police and the complainant was arrested. He was later charged and released on bail. A non-molestation order was issued between the two parties.
"Ms Hambleton’s address was a rented property in Offerton in Stockport owned by a housing association. The association were happy to allow Hambleton to remain in the property but she asked them if she could move from the address so that she could distance herself from the complainant. However, the association did not re-house her and she began staying at Ms Brown’s address. As a result of their breakup, she started drinking heavily with Ms Brown.
''Miss Brown herself had her own issues with the complainant. On one occasion following the breakup, Miss Brown was shopping in a local shop near her address when the complainant saw her and started shouting abuse at her. The complainant made insults about Brown’s disabled 18-year-old son. The incident was so serious that the shop staff had to remove him from the shop."
The man involved was due to face trial after being accused of harassing Hambleton but the charge was dropped after no evidence was offered.
Hambleton, of Woodlands Park, Offerton, told the court: "My behaviour was very impulsive and I just want to get on with my life without him." Brown, of Otterburn Place, Offerton, added: "I regret what I did, I find it embarrassing and am very sorry."
Both admitted common assault and were fined £120 each. They were each also ordered to pay £85 in costs and the £34 victim surcharge.
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