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Angry neighbour hit a babysitter
A MAN has been found guilty of attacking his neighbour's babysitter.
Michael McGrath, 43, of Winchester House, Church View, Sowerby Bridge, burst into the flat next door on January 18 last year.
Bradford Crown Court heard the assault happerned after McGrath's son, Jamie, was involved in a grievous bodily harm case.
His son's girlfriend, April Norris, lived next door and was a witness for the prosecution.
She had gone out and left her six-year-old child with her sister and a friend, Christian Smith.
Simon Myers, prosecuting, said McGrath knocked on the door and asked where Miss Norris was.
He was told she was out and that a message would be passed on but he returned shortly afterwards and again asked where she was.
McGrath then threw a punch at Mr Smith, which forced him back into the flat.
A fight broke out in the kitchen and McGrath ended up on the floor.
When the police arrived, they found him standing on the stairs outside the flat wielding a hammer which he the used on Miss Norris's door.
CS spray and a police dog had to be used to subdue him.
He was convicted of affray and assault occasioning actual bodily harm following a four-day trial. He denied the charges but admitted criminal damage.
His partner, Michelle Taylor, 39, also of Winchester House, was acquitted of assaulting Mr Smith.
The jury were directed to return not guilty verdicts in respect of a charge of intimidation for each defendant.
Ms Taylor told the jury that Mr Smith started the incident by attempting to barge into the flat she shared with McGrath while she was wearing only her underwear.
She claimed he had come to ask why she had been to see the police about text messages Miss Norris had allegedly sent her. Sentencing was adjourned for three weeks for reports.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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