Man jailed for assaulting girlfriend with meat pies

Alex Bell

March 12, 2010

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A man has been jailed for 16 weeks after squashing two hot meat pies into his partner's face.

James Murphy also punched Rachel Kermode in her right ear because he was angry he had nothing for tea.

A judge at Manchester magistrates court heard how Miss Kermode was left with circular burn marks on her forehead and soreness and redness in her ear following the attack on February 7.

Who else has been locked up this month? Sentences and photo gallery

Prosecuting, Nick Vitti said Murphy, 52, of Meltham Avenue, Withington, had an on-off relationship with Miss Kermode.

Mr Vitti told the judge that Murphy turned up at the house after downing eight pints of beer while Miss Kermode was having a Chinese takeaway with her 11-year-old son.

“When he came into the house he started to kick and slap the dog,” said Mr Vitti. “The victim got up and left the room. The defendant then approached her with the pies in both hands and put both into her face and tried to rub them in. The content of the pies went into her face, eyes and hair, burning her. He then punched her in the right ear,” he added.

Mr Vitti said that on leaving the house Murphy told approaching police officers: 'It is me you came for. I shoved a pie in her face.'

In a victim statement Miss Kermode said: “I'm sickened by the whole thing. I feel put down. I don't need it. Most of all I feel sorry for my son. He should not have to witness another person hit me and witness that kind of violence.”

Defending, Harry Boodhoo said Murphy's relationship with Miss Kermode was over and that he'd since moved back to live with his 77-year-old mother.

Regret

Mr Boodhoo said: “He wishes to express his regret for his actions and wishes to apologise to the complainant.

“The drink had clearly warranted him to behave in that fashion. I ask for a final opportunity for him to prove himself. If he doesn't, he has to be locked up.”

Deputy District Judge Jane Goodwin told Murphy she had no alternative but to impose a jail sentence.

“You have reached the end of the line,” she said. “Although I have taken account of the fact you have complied with some of your order there is some reluctance on you to deal with your behaviour.”

Judge Goodwin sentenced Murphy to 16 weeks in prison and added an additional eight weeks to the sentence, for a previous assault on Miss Kermode in 2008, when he threw a keyboard at her and punched her several times.

Murphy was also issued with a two-year restraining order to stay away from Miss Kermode.

Who else has been locked up this month? Sentences and photo gallery

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Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All

dessie, manchester (12/03/2010 at 08:44)

what a big hard man this idiot is!! sounds like a right lazy layabout no gooder!!!

In 76 oh it is true..., Mancunia (12/03/2010 at 09:07)

Angry he had nothing for tea? The fool had 2 meat pies!!

Invisible Man, Manchester (12/03/2010 at 09:33)

Please, please, please print a photo of this man! Bet he's a bloater!

curiousyellow, Rusholme (12/03/2010 at 09:47)

wonder if he's got 'jug ears'?

Anne Coates, Jersey Street (12/03/2010 at 09:57)

A sadly amusing story I suppose but an insight into the fractured lives that many of our people live. Hopefully she'll see sense and have nothing further to do with him. He, hopefully, will have an accident in the porridge queue in Strangeways. Who's pies were they?

MPs gravy train, UK (12/03/2010 at 09:59)

Smearing meat pies on your partner is a new one for me. Chocolate Yes, but meat pies no. I bet he was from Wigan orginally.

Careless Whisper (12/03/2010 at 10:13)

He will get plenty of home made prison pies in jail: What are the chances that he dare not ram his pies in his fellow cons faces when told they got no tea left for him? No I cannot see this coward doing that because they are men. I forgot he can only ram pies in the face of a defenceless woman in front of her child. Chin up Rachel, there are good men out there and hope you find one who will give you the love and respect you deserve. At least you are well rid of the coward. Hope you and your son get over this wicked ordeal in the future. Take care.

kimsback, stockport (12/03/2010 at 10:23)

Cat Stabber Your comments are out of order the lady had burns to her face . No judge would have let him walk. Nobody should beat men or women up its disgusting

kimsback, stockport (12/03/2010 at 10:24)

Rimsky - We dont all get any when tea isnt ready speak for yourself i certainly dont.

Careless Whisper (12/03/2010 at 10:25)

Anne Coates: What do you find so amusing about this article you sick woman. I pray you get the help you need one day.

Blunt (12/03/2010 at 10:31)

Good grief - I can't believe some of you are joking about this. Since when has domestic violence and assault been a laughing matter? He burnt her! In front of her son! Would you be making fun if it was your daughter or sister?

Esso Blue. Dark Flow/Dark Energy/Dark Matter/ Invisible, Manchester (12/03/2010 at 11:09)

The Detention of Desperate Dan, Div. I wonder if the dog ate the pies. The juice in the meat pies can be very dangerous when hot; it sticks like glue. A humble meat pie can fill you with joy and it can end marriages.

Lisa Littlewood (12/03/2010 at 11:17)

What about the poor dog..??? he deserves far more than 16 weeks in jail

Anne Coates, Jersey Street (12/03/2010 at 12:34)

Careless whisper: thank you for patronising me. Don't bother with the prayer - I'm an atheist AND PROUD.

Daniel Pollard (12/03/2010 at 13:17)

I'd recommend humble pie in prison...

Britt/Canada (12/03/2010 at 13:25)

Anne Coates, Jersey Street
12/03/2010 at 09:57

" A sadly amusing story I suppose" We should not be suprised by this comment from you,,,your arrogance shows in nearly every post that you make...by the way should it read "Ancoats".

Northen Bird :), Eccles (12/03/2010 at 13:41)

I hate it when they say "i was drunk" ... and? its no excuse, my boyfriend and all they fellas i know can have a drink and not become violent towards women. Whether your drunk or not, if you can do that kind of thing once you can do it again. I hope the poor lady gets rid for ever, best of wishes to her and her son

The Realist SW14 (12/03/2010 at 13:56)

Blair's Britain = scum nation.

FACT (In my humble opinion)

Esso Blue. Dark Flow/Dark Energy/Dark Matter/ Invisible, Manchester (12/03/2010 at 14:25)

Anne Coates, Jersey Street
12/03/2010 at 12:34

Jersey Street was part of my walk to primary school in the old days; what nice memories.

Mrs Jammy, Sitting on the settee (12/03/2010 at 14:50)

While this is a terrible thing for this man to have done to the woman involved and her son and dog, I just have one question.........why didn't he eat the pies instead of assaulting her with them?

And before anyone starts saying that I am making light of this, I am not, it is a disgraceful thing for him to have done, and it is right that he should be locked up for it, but if he was that hungry then he should have just ate the pies, he obviously must have warmed them up.

Dev_Monkey (12/03/2010 at 15:20)

"Blair's Britain = scum nation."

Yes it's the labour party's fault that this man assaulted his girlfriend. I can think of no circumstances of when this would have happened under an alternative government. I am sure that if Tony had known he wouldn't have stood. Poor Tony. Blood on his hands.

love the glazers and hate united (malcolm is barca99s dad) (12/03/2010 at 15:23)

I agree with comment about the juice from meat pies i cut one open juice splurted out and burnt my leg not seriously but bloody hurt so a pie in the face would be very sore ... should have been given a longer term and taught how to cook for himself whilst inside

Pandora (12/03/2010 at 15:52)

Scum Nation? Not really, we have reaped only what was sown a long time ago.

Dzenko, Manchester (12/03/2010 at 16:50)

James Murphy should be made to eat meat pies everyday for the days he spends locked up in jail. He is a lowlife for punching his girlfriend just because the tea was not ready and on the table. What a scumbag he is and he should hang his head high in shame!!!

Vote for David, tory land (12/03/2010 at 18:14)

eight pints of beer 20gbp, two chineses takeaways 10gbp; 30 gbp gone in a blink,Oh; and two meat pies 1.50 gbp. There must be better ways of spending £30 or so per evening.

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