Chester polygraph used in abuse case
A Chester polygraph could have been used to help police in a recent abuse case when an offender attacked a couple in a Chester city centre bar.
The case
A man has been jailed for attacking a couple in a Chester bar while subject to a suspended prison sentence. Jack Littleton, 26, was at his work Christmas party when he assaulted a woman and her partner in The Church on Newgate Street last year.
He had been given a chance back in July 2020 after inflicting grievous bodily harm on a man at a Staffordshire village pub. The attack left his victim blind in one eye and he was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months.
Victim suffers psychologically
Just six weeks before its expiry, on December 11, the defendant assaulted the couple at the popular Chester venue, resulting in a profound psychological effect on her.
Littleton, of Hanley, Staffordshire, was jailed for nine months when he appeared at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court. Prosecutor Antony Longworth said the defendant was drunk in The Church when the attack occurred.
The court hearing
He told the court: “He stood next to a woman and began to touch her and took hold of her buttock and squeezed. It was unwelcome. Another woman tried to protect her and forced herself between the defendant and the woman.
“She told him to stop what he was doing. Littleton approached her and grabbed hold of her neck in a chokehold, causing her to scream. He dragged her around.
Police interview
“Other people were trying to pull him off. She went red in the face and struggled to breathe because of the pressure he was placing on the neck. He was pulled off by a member of door staff. “The defendant turned to her partner, who intervened as the defendant put him in a headlock. The man managed to free himself and door staff intervened and the police were called.”
In his police interview, the defendant said he was so drunk he had no recollection. The court heard the woman has suffered panic attacks and is now taking anti-anxiety medication and sleeping tablets.
Pleading guilty
Littleton, pleaded guilty to two charges of common assault and breaching a suspended sentence order. Jason Holt, mitigating, said the grievous bodily harm incident in the Sneyd Arms was dealt with as excessive self-defence. The court heard the defendant would be eligible for an alcohol abstinence programme.
Mr Holt said Littleton is well thought of at work. He has a daughter who will be affected if he goes to jail and he will lose his accommodation. He said the defendant could pay his victims compensation. Mr Holt added: “The effect of an immediate custodial sentence on him and his family would be significant.”
Unpleasant behaviour
Deputy Circuit Judge Paul Glenn said: “On December 11, your behaviour was boorish and unpleasant. You were barging into people and were plainly drunk. You went on to touch a woman’s bottom. Her friends saw what was going on and told you to stop. Your response was to laugh in her face.
“Firstly, you took hold of her around the neck from behind in a chokehold. She had difficulty breathing. She was terrified. Secondly, you dragged her along the bar until you were pulled off by bouncers. Her partner tried to help her. Finally, you put him in a headlock, but he was able to escape relatively quickly.
Alcohol addiction
“There is a clear pattern of violent offending when in alcohol. It seems to me there is a risk of harm to the general public until you learn to handle yourself when in drink. I dealt with you in July 2020 for causing grievous bodily harm. That too was a serious incident in licensed premises and therefore resulted in very significant injuries.
“I explained very carefully what would happen to you if you do not comply with the order. One hopes when one makes that sort of order people learn and it acts as a deterrent. But it plainly hasn’t with you because you behaved in a similar way again. I see no reason not to implement the suspended sentence, but it would not be appropriate to activate the full-term.”
Littleton will serve up to half the sentence with the rest on licence.
How a polygraph test could have helped
In conclusion, victims of abuse and attacks are now stepping forwards to ask Police to conduct more polygraph tests. Since police have put new measures in place to conduct lie detector tests on sex-offenders, resulting in crime rates plummeting. Communities feel safer knowing abusers and offenders are now subject to regular polygraph testing as part of release terms. For instance, if Littleton was made to take regular polygraph tests as part of his release terms, he could have been prevented from repeat offending and moreover the community would feel safer.
The Maggie Oliver foundation works with women who have been victims of abuse. You can find support and advice on the foundation’s website. If you suspect someone is a victim of abuse or has developed an alcohol addiction book a test online today. You can also call us on our free helpline on 07572 748364.
We provide confidential office appointments and home tests throughout North West England.
