Burnley man gouged at ex-girlfriend's eye with high-heel shoe
3:14pm Friday 1st March 2013 in News
A MAN who attacked his former partner with a high-heel shoe, causing serious eye problems, has been given a suspended prison sentence.
Preston Crown Court heard how Troy Duxbury, 40, tried to gouge out the eye of victim Angela Stephenson with the shoe.
But the court was also told both parties had been drinking heavily all day, ending up on vodka, and Miss Stephenson had also attacked Duxbury with the other shoe.
Duxbury, of Laithe Street, Burnley, who admitted assault and common assault, was given a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.
Judge Simon Newell also placed him on an electronically-tagged curfew, between 8pm and 6am, for 12 weeks.
He was also given a two-year restraining order, preventing him from contacting Miss Stephenson and 12 months probation supervision.
Mark Lamberty, prosecuting, said the pair had been drinking at Miss Stephenson’s home on June 16 last year when an argument developed.
This degenerated into abuse by Duxbury, who then started hitting her about the head with his hands.
He then picked up a high-heel shoe and began hitting her with it. Miss Stephenson later claimed that he tried to gouge out her eye by pressing down hard on her face with the footwear. Miss Stephenson’s vision was impaired for some time and although it is thought to have improved, she is still said to require ongoing medical treatment, the court heard.
Hugh Barton, defending, said Duxbury had suffered a number of injuries himself during the incident, as a result of Miss Stephenson’s actions.
The pair had been in a relationship but were no longer together at the time of the incident and he accepts they have no future together, he added.
Duxbury had been drinking but accepted responsibility for his actions, realising that was no excuse, said Mr Barton.
