A THUG completely wasted a chance given to him by the courts by reoffending on the same day he was spared jail.

Neil Belcher was allowed to walk free from court last Wednesday, August 3, after being given a community order for assaulting his wife.

But he ignored the warning from magistrates by returning home and attacking her again that same day.

The 48-year-old was hauled back before Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Friday to face another charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, as well as criminal damage.

Ashley Simpson, prosecuting, explained how the defendant was handed a 12-month rehabilitation programme, alcohol treatment sessions and unpaid work on his last court appearance.

This came after he attacked his wife after an argument that began over his drinking. This saw him grab her by the head and bang it several times against the wall.

The court heard how she had cuts behind her head from where his fingernails and dug in, and when she spoke to police, she told them how in March he threw a toaster and mobile phone at her.

Belcher has previous convictions of battery and criminal damage for an incident involving an Asda security guard.

Neil Belcher leaving Warrington Magistrates Court after being spared jail last week

Neil Belcher leaving Warrington Magistrates' Court after being spared jail last week

During the hearing, Gary Schooler, defending, revealed how his client was ‘heavily’ drunk at the time of the attack– which he had not consumed for a number of years.

He added: “Hopefully this is the last time he ever appears before the court.”

Concluding, chair magistrate Michael Danaher said that Belcher needed to ‘get a grip’ of himself – something which the defendant obviously failed to do.

That same day, he again injured his wife by assaulting her, as well as damaging a mug to the value of £40 belonging to another person.

Belcher was dragged back before the same court, where he admitted his actions.

Before sentencing, chair magistrate John Nelson remarked that only an immediate custodial sentence was appropriate.

This was due to the violent offence being committed on the same day he was released from court and against the same victim.

Belcher, of Ringwood Close in Birchwood, was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment and ordered to pay £40 in compensation to the owner of the mug he broke.