Mum cleared of 'swinger' assualt (From Warrington Guardian)

Grappenhall mum cleared of attack

9:30am Friday 20th August 2010 in News

A MUM has been cleared of assault after she lunged at a woman who was a guest at what she believed was a swingers party next door to her home.

On Wednesday Warrington Magistrates’ Court heard how 41-year-old Ann Sinnett, of Ollerton Close, Grappenhall, went to hit partygoer Julia Falzon after her 11-year-old son said he saw a naked man through the window of the adjacent property.

Ms Falzon, whose mother was one of Hyde murderer Dr Harold Shipman’s victims, accused Ms Sinnett of grabbing her neck, causing it to redden.

She also claimed that the gathering, held on April 24, and attended by around 15 to 20 people, was for single adults and denied it was a swingers party.

Ms Sinnett, who denied making any contact with Ms Falzon, said: “You can’t have those sorts of parties when children are about. I told them to close the curtains because my son said he saw a man walking round with no clothes on. It was a swingers party, the women were wearing short skirts, stockings and skimpy tops.

“I lunged but I did not make any physical contact, I didn’t touch her. I wouldn’t say I was violent, I would say it was a heated argument.”

The court heard there had been a history of disputes between Sinnett and next door neighbour Michelle Ash.

This was not the first party held at her home and Sinnett claimed that a previous event had resulted in people engaging in ‘lewd’ sexual activity in the garden.

Sinnett warned Michelle’s live-in partner not to expose her children to that kind of behaviour again and was incensed when he flouted this just weeks later by throwing another gathering, which the couple claimed was an Ann Summers party.

It was then that Sinnett had the argument with Ms Falzon, who said she did not attend the first party, before lunging at her.

She was stopped by friend and neighbour Lynsey Rutter who said: “I heard the argument and walked over. She lunged but I grabbed her and took her to her house. I’m positive there was no contact.”

Maureen Blackmore, who chaired the bench, said there was not enough proof to show that Sinnett had touched Ms Falzon and she was subsequently found not guilty.