Spurned husband leaves wife needing surgery after attack

James Suckhain Singh, 37, of Garstang Road, Preston, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm, but claimed he had hit her when the victim attacked him.

She later tried to retract her statement.

Judge Leeming QC, sitting at Preston’s Sessions House Court, imposed a 40-week jail term suspended for 18 months, with a rehabilitation activity, and 150 hours unpaid work.

Prosecuting, Peter Barr said: “We are agreed this was a turbulent relationship, probably more towards the end of the relationship, where one party was as bad as the other, and police were called on numerous occasions where the complainant had attacked the defendant.

“On February 16 at 11.40pm the defendant came to the complainant’s home and again it was all part of the breakdown of their relationship.

“He challenges her about being in a new relationship and says, ‘I can’t bear to see you with anyone else.’ The complainant basically asked him to leave. At that stage there is the assault – a single punch to the face with a closed fist.

“She didn’t seek medical attention that night. A couple of days later as her eye swells and she can’t see, she does seek medical assistance and consultants confirm a fracture to the eye socket in three places.”

The woman later underwent surgery. Defending, Daniel Prowse said he disputed the Crown’s claim she was a vulnerable victim, adding: “She was in fact attacking him.” The judge ordered Singh to pay £350 costs.