Joseph Douglas, 38, of Boleyn Road, Rubery, was caught on camera dragging his girlfriend by her hair and grabbing her throat outside the Swan Pub in Birmingham. The incident occurred on October 17 and was captured on CCTV, showing the victim desperately clinging to a lamppost to prevent being dragged.
Court Proceedings and Sentence
At Birmingham Magistrates' Court, Douglas pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault. He was handed a 24-week prison sentence, suspended for two years. In addition, he must complete 20 rehabilitation activity days and pay £150 compensation plus a £154 victim surcharge.
Prosecutor Rosalind Butler described the footage: "It showed the defendant dragging the female victim by the hair and she was holding onto a lamppost to stop him dragging her."
Details of the Attack
The court heard that Douglas "squared up" to pub owner Mr Wood, who called police after witnessing the attack. Police found the victim with a reddened neck, swollen eye, and a bump on her forehead.
Douglas's solicitor said he "hangs his head in shame" over the attack. The defendant claimed alcohol "got the better of him" and said there was "a lot going on" in their lives at the time.
