A thug who pinned his screaming girlfriend against a fence pulled a knife on an innocent couple who tried to help her.
A couple, from Skelmersdale were walking their dog after dark on November 29, 2021 when they heard a commotion in the Evesdale area. Preston Crown Court heard how at first they thought it was youths messing around, but as they approached an underpass they realised they could hear a woman crying.
At the bottom of the steps they saw Ciaron Banks, 21, had pinned his girlfriend against a fence. She was hysterical and shouting out for help, saying "he's hurting me", LancsLive reports.
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As the couple walked past, Banks' terrified girlfriend reached out and grabbed the woman's hand. The woman tried to pull her away but Banks dragged her back.
He was rummaging in his trouser pocket and the woman feared he had a knife, David Clarke, prosecuting said. The man stepped forward to grab Banks, who pulled a knife from his pocket and threatened to stab the couple.
As Banks threatened the man, his girlfriend was able to break free and escape. However Banks ran after his girlfriend and grabbed her again, marching her down the street as she screamed and begged to go to her mum's house.
Two men chased after Banks but moments later the police arrived and arrested him. Banks, of Eton Terrace, Wigan, claimed he had an alibi, but was later identified by the couple during a Viper ID parade.
He pleaded guilty to affray and possession of a bladed article in a public place and appeared at Preston Crown Court to be sentenced.
Callum Ross, defending, said Banks acted out of character on November 29 as he has no previous convictions. He said: "This is a young man who a great deal of work needs to be done with. There are various issues."
He said Banks has ongoing mental health issues and has been smoking cannabis since the age of 13. He has no role models and has recently moved to a caravan in North Wales to break free from negative associates in the Wigan and Skelmersdale areas.
When Mr Ross spoke to the defendant, Banks said it was "the silliest thing I've ever done". He said at the time he was also using cocaine, which he has now stopped.
Recorder Daniel Prowse, sentencing, said: "When people carry knives, whether or not they intend to use them, then others can end up being injured - sometimes fatally. This court has been involved in cases of murder when people have been stabbed with knives which the user did not intend to use.
"There was plainly an intention to cause fear of very serious violence when you told this couple you would stab them with the knife you had in your hand."
The court heard Banks' former partner did not give a witness statement or support the prosecution but it was able to go ahead after the couple identified the defendant.
Recorder Prowse said: "The way you treated your then partner was criminal and shameful. You threatened and perpetrated violence against her. It is clear you terrified that young woman.
"You ordered her to keep walking when she couldn't have been clearer that she didn't want to go with you. You treated her as less than an equal member of society. "
The judge said he had read a pre-sentence report which suggested there was a real prospect of rehabilitation for Banks. Judge Prowse said given his lack of previous convictions he was prepared to suspend the sentence to allow the defendant to work with the Probation Service.
He handed Banks a 16 month sentence suspended for 18 months with 30 days of rehabilitation activity requirements. He also granted a certificate of commendation to the brave couple who tried to intervene.
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