Ulverston man sentenced for assaulting and harassing wife of 27 years

Carl Hoggarth, 58, was sentenced at South Cumbria Magistrates Court on April 29 after previously pleading guilty to assault by beating, criminal damage to property valued under £5,000 and harassment without violence.

Prosecuting the case, Peter Kelly said Hoggarth pushed his wife before smashing her phone into a window causing £200 of damage on April 3 this year.

The court heard Hoggarth, of Upper Brook Street in Ulverston, was placed on police bail for the assault with requirements not to contact the complainant.

He then called her 'multiple times' to try and resolve the argument which had developed, the court heard.

Mr Kelly said: “There were some difficulties within their relationship. It would appear things came to a head on April 3.

“There was an argument and the defendant acted in a degree of rage.”

The court was told the complainant, who no longer supports the Crown’s case, said the defendant then rang her over 100 times up until April 6.

As a result, he was arrested and remanded into custody ahead of his first court hearing on April 8.

He was given conditional bail prior to his sentencing date after magistrates ordered for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

It was not disclosed to the court the context of what caused the argument.

Andy Gallaher, representing Hoggarth, said his client had been married for 27 years and that their relationship had recently broken down.

He said: “This is someone who has not been before the court since 1988. In my submission, this incident was six of one and half a dozen of the other.

“I am sure you will appreciate in any relationship that there are disagreements on both sides. The complainant has since retracted her statement and no longer supports the Crown’s case.

Magistrates imposed a two-year community order with requirements to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, 15 RAR days and 29 days of an accredited program.

He was also ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £114 surcharge.