Clayton-le-Moors lorry driver filmed attacking partner

4:18pm Tuesday 22nd April 2008

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A LORRY driver was filmed on a mobile phone attacking his partner by her 14-year-old daughter, a court heard.

Burnley Crown Court was told how Christopher Dimambro, 44, who assaulted Sarah Wolfenden three times, struck in front of their two children and threw the victim out of the family home.

Dimambro was captured by the 14-year-old during one beating, in which he threw an iron at Miss Wolfenden and pulled out clumps of her hair, leaving her with a bald patch at the front.

The defendant watched from the dock as the mobile clip was shown to the court - and was said to be horrified by it.

Dimambro, of William Street, Clayton-le-Moors, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and two counts of common assault and had been committed for sentence by Hyndburn magistrates.

He had voluntarily registered with Pendle Domestic Violence programme and a judge said that, along with his guilty pleas, had earned him the right to a chance.

Judge Andrew Woolman said: "I accept you are ashamed of what you have done. I am going to give you a chance to prove you mean what you say."

Dimambro was given a community order with two years supervision and the community domestic violence programme.

Jennifer Blewitt, prosecuting, said Miss Wolfenden and the defendant had been together 12 years and the relationship had become volatile.

On February 15, Dimambro accused the victim of stealing money from him and he abused her and kicked her whilst she was on the sofa.

Miss Blewitt said on March 14, the couple rowed and Dimambro threw an iron at his partner, hitting her in the chest.

The day after, Miss Wolfenden made attempts to contact Dimambro and went to the Bay Horse in Oswaldtwistle.

The defendant was there and was abusive. She went home and fell asleep on the setee.

She was awoken by the defendant kicking her in the face and shouting abuse at her. The children saw the attack.

Miss Blewitt said the defendant pushed Miss Wolfenden out of the house.

The 14 year old called 999. Miss Wolfenden was taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital, had three stitches to her face and would be left permanently scarred under her right eye..

Hilary Manley, defending, said Dimambro accepted his conduct had been appalling and had been horrified when shown the mobile phone footage.