Hapton man's jealousy led to frenzied assault (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Hapton man's jealousy led to frenzied assault

5:00pm Saturday 7th July 2012 in News

A 23-year-old Hapton man who launched a frenzied attack when he saw his ex-girlfriend hand-in-hand with his ex best friend has been jailed.

Blackburn magistrates heard Callum Fitzpatrick chased the couple through Accrington town centre before jumping on the other man’s back.

He agreed to stop the attack when a stranger intervened but immediately jumped up, threatened the mediator and then resumed his attack.

Fitzpatrick, of Lyndale Road, pleaded guilty to assaulting James Miller. He was jailed for 10 weeks for the attack and a further 10 weeks for being in breach of a suspended sentence imposed in September also for assault.

Neil White, prosecuting, said Mr Miller was walking through the town centre with a girl called Danielle who had gone out with Fitzpatrick three years ago.

“They had been together for nine months and he says they were very happy,” said Mr White.

Fitzpatrick told police he saw red and decided to attack Mr Miller. The two men started fighting and Mr Miler managed to get his attacker in a choke hold on the floor. When the stranger intervened he said he couldn’t let go because he would attack again.

Graeme Parkinson, defending, said Fitzpatrick didn’t know the two people he had previously been involved with were in a relationship.

“He had previously regarded Mr Miller as a friend and just did not expect to see them together on that day,” said Mr Parkinson.