Colne crook attacked man at drink and drug rehab centre over unpaid debt (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Colne crook attacked man at drink and drug rehab centre over unpaid debt

7:00pm Tuesday 23rd October 2012 in News

A PROLIFIC crook attacked a man at a drink and drugs help centre because he claimed he owed him cash, a court was told.

Paul Dwyer, 35, was arrested for the assault at Inspire and told police: “No worries. I need a bit of jail time to get my head together.”

Burnley Crown Court heard that Dwyer left victim Keith Cavanagh with a cut to the back of his head and pain to his head, neck and back. The defendant, of Lower School Street, Colne, had admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and had been committed for sentence by magistrates.

His case was adjourned until November 5.

David Macro, prosecuting, said Mr Cavanagh went to Inspire on September 13, with his partner, Wendy Horrocks.

He sat down next to Ms Horrocks and saw the defendant on the other side of the room. The two men, who had known each other 20 years, had fallen out at the beginning of this year over tenancy of Dwyer’s house while he had been in jail.

Mr Macro said Mr Cavanagh would say he went over to the defendant to try to patch things up.

Dwyer was abusive and the victim returned to his partner. The defendant shouted a threat over to him and then walked up to him and hit him repeatedly with his walking stick.

Mr Cavanagh went to the floor and Dwyer then kicked him in the head while he was prone. It seemed he had lost consciousness and he wasn’t moving.

The court heard Dwyer accepted losing his temper but didn’t remember why he was so angry.