Husband attacked wife in front of kids (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Husband attacked wife in front of kids

7:00pm Monday 10th April 2006 in News By LET newsdesk

A WOMAN who had suffered domestic violence throughout her 21-year marriage told police she had even walked down the aisle with a black eye given to her by her husband-to-be.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Sheila Shackleton said her husband was "alright" until he had a drink when he became violent.

And the court was told that on the latest occasion Albert Shackleton had attacked his wife in front of their three children because she stuck up for them.

Shackleton, 41, of Cambridge Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife.

He was made subject to a community supervision order for 12 months, with a condition that he attends the domestic violence programme, and ordered to pay £60 costs.

Neil White, prosecuting, said that on February 19 Shackleton had been drinking and when there was a problem with the stereo he blamed the children.

"He picked the stereo up and threw it on the floor and accused his wife of always sticking up for the children," said Mr White. "She said they hadn't done anything wrong and his response was to grab her by the scruff of the neck. One of their daughters intervened and shouted at him not to hit her mum."

Mr White said that in the past Mrs Shackleton said she had suffered broken ribs and a broken jaw in attacks by her husband but she had never prosecuted any of the offences to a conclusion.

She told police: "I even walked down the aisle on my wedding day with a black eye Albert had given me."

Clare Knight, defending, said Shackleton accepted the marriage had been turbulent but he denied causing any broken ribs or a broken jaw.

"He denies giving her a black eye on their wedding day, he says that was just an accident," said Miss Knight.