Wedding guest batters girlfriend and swings fists at bridesmaid in drunken rage
A drunk wedding guest attacked his girlfriend and swung his fists at a bridesmaid.
Roland Povall, 48, was responsible for a "terrifying and shameful episode" at the ceremony during which he left his partner with a black eye. He also cut a teenager's face with a broken mug but has little memory of what happened, a court heard.
A judge sentenced Povall, who has a history of domestic violence, to a seven-year sentence with a further three years on licence. He will not be eligible for parole until two thirds of the custodial sentence has passed, Preston Crown Court was told.
Sentencing, Judge Ian Unsworth KC described what happened as a "terrifying and shameful episode on what should have been a joyous occasion". The judge said he did not accept the PTSD had any impact on this incident and said he was concerned by Povall's history of domestic violence, Lancs Live reports.
He said: "You have a short temper, fuelled by alcohol. You also have an issue when it comes to violence and your partners." Among that shameful history, he was given a 35-month sentence in 2016 after a brutal attack left a different girlfriend with a black eye and punctured lung.
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The defendant was left "deeply ashamed" of his actions, which included swinging his fists at anyone around him, narrowly missing contact with a bridesmaid at the wedding at Briars Hall in Lathom, Lancashire. Povall pleaded guilty to two counts of wounding and one of assault. The court on Tuesday heard that the victims had declined to provide impact statements and no request was made for restraining orders.
Prosecuting, Gerald Baxter said: "At 11pm, [the teenager] was in the room with his brother. The defendant and [his partner] were in the next room having a petty argument and he went in to ask them to stop arguing. Shortly after, he heard banging and believed she was in danger.
"He opened the door and saw the defendant standing over [Povell's partner] in the bathroom. The defendant was rocking back and forth with his hands clenched in fists. He was worried the defendant was going to attack [her] and grabbed his shoulders and pulled him back."
In response, Povall told him to get out but the teenager refused and the fracas spilled into a hotel corridor. Povall had picked up a mug and used it hit the boy over the head. He then hit him again in the face with the broken handle, causing a cut down his cheek which needed treatment.
As this happened, Povall's partner tried to step into the middle of the pair and was punched in the face, causing a black eye. A bridesmaid who was staying in the neighbouring room had heard the initial noise and come out to ask them to be quiet as her children were sleeping.
She too found herself in the line of fire as Povall wildly swung his fists at anyone and everyone around him. She did not feel the contact but realised her face was bleeding as she ran to call the police.
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