Jealous pool player used cue to launch attack

By Alec Whitaker

A POOL player from Denton used his own cue to a batter a spectator senseless after he spotted his ex-girlfriend having a heart-to-heart chat with him on the sidelines.

Father-of-three Thomas Horsecroft, 32, of Tame Street, was at the table at his local pub when he noticed Jane Swindells with her head on the shoulder of Michael Mahoney and hugging him.

A court heard after potting the black, Horsecroft became overwhelmed by a fit of “misplaced jealousy” and he held the cue by its thinner shaft end before crashing the thicker butt end of the stick over Mr Mahoney’s head.

The victim, a barman at the pub who had just popped in for last orders, was knocked to the ground by the blow and suffered a two-inch gash to the top of his head. He was rushed to hospital where he had five staples put into the skin area to seal up the wound.

Bedroom fitter Horsecroft was ushered out of the pub but was arrested later. He claimed he had become angry as Miss Swindells had invited him out for a few drinks. He later apologised to her and Mr Mahoney for his behaviour.

At Minshull Street Manchester Crown Court, Horsecroft admitted causing grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon and was given eight months jail suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to pay Mr Mahoney £2,000 compensation.

The court heard the incident occurred on January 20 last year after Horsecroft attended the Witchwood pub in Ashton where he met Miss Swindells and her friend Sam Mulberry.

Peter Warne, prosecuting, said: “The group had various drinks, including lager, wine and some shots, for around two-and-a-half-hours.

“Mr Mahoney, who had been out drinking for several hours that day, arrived at the pub to have a last drink on his way home. He was familiar with the pub because he worked behind the bar and was local to his home address.

“The defendant and Jane Swindells had a brief relationship lasting about three months at the beginning of 2019 and they had remained friends.

“The complainant was stood near the bar and got talking with Miss Swindells and the two were apparently leaning close towards each other and at one point, she may have rested her head on his shoulder while they were talking. She remembers they may have had a hug as well.

“While this was going on the defendant was playing a game of pool and was very close in distance to where the complainant and Miss Swindells were chatting.

“The defendant finished off the game of pool and then without warning he turned around towards the complainant, turned the cue around so the heavy end of the cue was facing away from him, holding the thinner end in the air and struck the complainant over the head.

“That caused the complainant to fall to the ground, at which point there was commotion and the defendant was dragged out of the pub by Sam Mulberry followed by Miss Swindells. The three then left the scene before the police could be called.

“By the following day, the defendant had spoken to Miss Swindells and according to her felt guilty about what he had done and asked her what she thought he should do.

“She said that he needed to own up and go to the police. He then attended Ashton police station and handed himself in.”

Horsecroft’s solicitor John Marsh said: “There is no bad blood. Mr Mahoney and the defendant have seen one another since and the defendant has apologised, although I can’t say whether that will have been happily met by Mr Mahoney.

“This man has never troubled the police in any way before, not troubled the police or the courts since.

“This man has had a rush of blood having been adversely affected by alcohol. He has also taken further steps through his GP to address what he recognised as binge drinking.”

Judge Mr Recorder Lawrence McDonald said: “The only explanation for this that seems to make any sense is that you had seen Mr Mahoney speaking with your ex-partner and you had a rush of blood to the head caused by misplaced jealousy of some kind.

“What was done in a matter of seconds has had an effect lasting months on Mr Mahoney. It was clearly a significant injury that was caused. It has affected his work, his life and personal relationships all for absolutely no reason whatsoever.

“But fortunately for you, the effects on him have not been as long-lasting or as serious as they might well have been. He could have been far more seriously injured, you could have been facing a far more serious charge.

“But you have never been in any form of trouble with the police. This was a single blow and I agree that this was a moment of madness. I’m satisfied that you have demonstrated genuine remorse.”

Horsecroft was also ordered to complete 100 hours unpaid work and was banned from going into the Witchwood pub for 18 months under the terms of a restraining order.