Bacup man in bid to take blade into court

2:30pm Friday 1st August 2008

A DEPRESSED man tried to smuggle a blade from his prison cell before an appearance in front of a judge, a court heard.

But Michael Crompton, 52, a self harmer, was unable to use the weapon on himself, thanks to checks by security staff, Burnley Crown Court was told.

The defendant, of Princess Street, Bacup, admitted wounding. The court heard that he ‘bottled’ a man in a pub after taking a cocktail of drink and anti-depressant drugs.

Crompton, a regular in the Black Bull pub, hit Ian McKenna over the head with a bottle for no reason, the court heard.

Crompton sobbed in the dock as his barrister told how he had been on medication since his partner died and how his home had been wrecked while he had been on remand. Judge Christina Lyon, who had been told Crompton was unlikely to co-operate with the probation service, gave him 51 weeks in prison, suspended for two years on condition he lives at his home address.

Mark Monaghan, prosecuting, said Mr McKenna was having a pint and the next thing he recalled was being picked up off the floor. The landlady had served the defendant, turned to the till and heard two loud thuds.

She turned and saw Crompton hit the victim. She ran from behind the bar and shouted at Crompton, who left. Mr McKenna suffered two gashes and was taken to hospital. Mr Monaghan said the defendant was arrested and interviewed. He was questioned again three weeks later and gave a series of contradictions, made no comment and both denied and accepted he had been at the pub.

He denied involvement in the attack. The landlady later picked him out in an identity parade. Crompton had previous convictions for violence.

Ken Hind, defending, said the attack seemed to have been sudden and without any explanation.

He added: “He has been on incapacity benefits for three years and anti-depressant drugs for four years. When he takes the correct medication, although he feels strongly about things, he is capable of functioning properly in the community.”