A convicted robber released from prison three days before Christmas was back in custody by Boxing Day after attacking his on-off girlfriend.
Michael Robert O’Loughlin, 28, slapped Amy McCarthy, 22, and dragged her by the hair on Christmas Eve before locking her inside her address in Corfu Street, Birkenhead.
O’Loughlin, of Poulton Road, Wallasey , had only been released from prison on December 22 after serving half of a 16-month sentence for a robbery committed in March.
He pleaded guilty to two charges of assault and one of criminal damage at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court today.
The court heard O’Loughlin had been hauled back to prison to serve out the remaining eight months of his robbery sentence.
David Evans, prosecuting, said: “On the 24th, the defendant and the complainant had spent time together, but at around 9.30pm it appears that the defendant became aggressive and he began accusing her of cheating on him.
“He started to slapping her to the face, pulling her hair and dragging her around. He took her mobile phone so she could not phone the police and her keys, locking the door and refusing to let her leave.”
Michael Robert O’Loughlin
Mr Evans said O’Loughlin left the property the following morning but returned on Boxing Day, knocking at the front door asking for belongings.
Miss McCarthy agreed to pass him some items through a window, but a short time later heard the sound of a rear window smashing.
The court heard O’Loughlin, who has 36 convictions for 63 offences on his record, climbed into the property and refused to leave.
Mr Evans said: “The defendant took hold of her by the wrist and pulled her upstairs to the bathroom. He kicked an internal door causing damage and kicked her to the shin.”
Police were called to the property and O’Loughlin attempted to run.
Miss McCarthy was seen with bruises to her wrist and shin after the incident.
Laura Flynn, representing O’Loughlin, told the court her client disputed the extent of the allegations but admitted assaults took place.
She said: “He had been invited to spend Christmas and New Year with his on off partner but he was recalled on licence because he was not at the hostel he was supposed to be living in.”
Magistrates sentenced O’Loughlin to 16 weeks in prison for the latest offences, to run alongside the remainder of the robbery term.
Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/