Kosovo veteran avoids jail for partner plate attack (From Warrington Guardian)

Kosovo veteran avoids jail for partner plate attack

9:00am Thursday 24th January 2013 in News

AN army veteran, who turned to drink after serving in war-torn Kosovo, has been handed a suspended sentence for cutting his partner with a plate.

Warrington Crown Court heard on Friday Robert Tinsley, aged 50, and Dorothy Wilson were both alcoholics and had been in a relationship for five years before it ended in summer 2012.

Tinsley, of Lovely Lane, arrived back at his flat on August 28 last year when Miss Wilson was collecting her belongings and got aggressive throwing plates and other crockery.

Abigail Hudson, prosecuting, said: “They were both drunk and the defendant grabbed a piece of broken plate and dragged it from Miss Wilson’s foot to ankle.

“She was so drunk she didn’t feel any pain and continued drinking.

“She wrapped it in a kitchen towel and went to buy more alcohol and later told a nurse her foot was bleeding during the defendant’s appointment with a doctor.”

Miss Wilson needed 14 stitches and rang the police but when they called her back she was too drunk to give a statement.

Tinsley was eventually arrested in November last year and told police he only intended to scratch Miss Wilson.

He has a number of previous convictions for being drunk and disorderly and threatening behaviour since 1999.

Michael Davies, defending, said: “He drank heavily during his time with the Army and was badly affected after seeing mass graves in Kosovo.

“He spent a number of years sleeping rough, drinking and stealing to survive which is a cycle some service men experience after the Army.”

Judge David Hale gave Tinsley a 12 month prison sentence suspended for two years and ordered him to complete a domestic violence programme.

He added: “You used to have pride in yourself but you can’t do anymore.

“You were both extremely drunk, as has happened before, but if you do want to make an improvement in your life I will give you that opportunity.”