'Hero' Southport stabbings window cleaner 'attacked pregnant partner'

Yahoo

6 days ago

A window cleaner who "locked eyes" with the Southport attacker as he ran to help stab victims has been hauled before a court.
Joel Verite launched an attack on his pregnant partner after being cropped out of a picture.
The 27-year-old was previously hailed a hero when he rushed to help the victims of knifeman Axel Rudakubana.
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However Verite - who was said to be suffering from PTSD in the wake of the tragedy, which resulted in the deaths of three young girls - has now been sentenced for assaulted his partner in the presence of his baby daughter.
Liverpool Magistrates' Court was told that Verite had been in an "on-off relationship for one year" with his victim.
The couple had got into an argument on October 18 last year after Verite had been cropped out of a picture.
He followed the victim into the kitchen, where she was feeding her first-born child, and asked if she was in a mood, the Liverpool Echo reports.
Sarah McInerney, appearing for the Crown Prosecution Service, said Verite had started "shouting and swearing and smacked the bowl of cereal out of her hands, spilling the contents up the wall".
He was asked to leave but instead followed his partner and asked if he could see his daughter.
The court heard that when she said no, Verite continued up the stairs behind her.
He then pushed her in the back, which caused her to fall.
The court was told the victim escaped upstairs and called Verite's mum to come and collect him.
Verite admitted common assault and criminal damage but denied assault by beating.
The crown accepted at trial that his actions were reckless and he did not intend to hurt his partner.
However Ms McInerney told the court the offences were aggravated by the fact the victim was pregnant, it was in a domestic context and in the presence of a child.
Verite, of Guildford Road in Birkdale, had one previous conviction for assault in 2017, for which he had received a suspended sentence.
Elizabeth Manning, defending, told the court Verite deserved credit for pleading guilty to some charges.
She told the court that during the argument in the build-up to the assault, Verite had been told he couldn't see his daughter, adding that the struggle that followed "was not intentional but reckless".
Ms Manning said Verite deeply regretted his actions, adding: "The court will be aware of the events of Southport.
"The defendant was working cleaning windows in the area when he came across a victim before he went into the building and came face to face with the attacker.
"If not for the defendant there could have been more fatalities."
The court was told Verite had been experiencing PTSD as a result of the incident causing him to "feel more protective of his own children".
Verite's mood had also been impacted by his use recreational drugs, however the court was told he was now 95 days sober. and had enrolled in a "caring dad programme".
"Being a father is his greatest pride. He is deeply embarrassed," she said.
District Judge Wendy Lloyd told Verite:"You knew she was pregnant and you lost your temper putting your children at risk.
"What kind of example were you setting that you do not know how to control your temper?
"You have a relevant conviction. You have been using drugs most days. A domestic violence risk is high."
The judge added: "I would have thought going through the dreadful experiences you had would make you less likely to use violence."
Verite was handed a 20-week sentence, suspended for 18 months, for criminal damage, common assault and two counts of assault by beating.
He was also ordered to carry out 25 rehabilitation days, 180 hours of unpaid work and pay £504 in court costs.