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Help bid men were chased off with spade

From the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, first published Thursday 4th Apr 2002.

A MINER turned musician rowed with his girlfriend and then chased some men who went to help her with a spade.

Burnley Crown Court heard multiple sclerosis sufferer Peter Batty, 50 on Saturday, could get help from the probation service with his relationship.

Batty, of Company Street, Rishton, was given a 12-month community rehabilitation order after admitting affray.

John Marsh, prosecuting, said last August the defendant rowed with his partner and she rang for help on her mobile phone.

Some young men came to investigate what was going on, heard shouting and when they entered the garden, Batty ran at them brandishing a spade. It hit the garden wall and the men ran off.

Mr Marsh said the defendant was arrested 11 days later on August 12. In interview, Batty said he could not recall an incident with a spade but showed concern as to whether anybody had been hurt.

Mark Stuart, defending, said Batty started off his working life as a miner, was then a fitter and welder but was now a musician.

He advised at Blackburn College on an ad hoc basis, but the fact he was dyslexic make it difficult for him to continue in education.

Mr Stuart added the defendant and his partner were back together again and the relationship would not be helped by his difficulties.

Both he and his girlfriend were committed to trying to resolve their problems within the relationship.

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