23-07-2025
Holiday maker attacked and threatened to stab his partner
A HOLIDAY maker who was staying at a caravan park near Carlisle attacked his partner, at one point threatening to stab her, a court heard.
Police were called to Glendale Holiday Park near Port Carlisle just after midnight on July 21 after concerned guests heard a commotion and intervened to help 35-year-old Deakon Thomas Paintain's injured victim.
At Carlisle's Rickergate court, the defendant admitted two assaults by beating, including the one on his partner of seven years, and causing criminal damage.
Prosecutor Diane Jackson outlined the facts.
Guests at the holiday park called the police because they could hear screaming coming from the defendant's caravan and there was a report that Paintain had a knife.
One witness saw him standing over the victim with his fists raised as if he was going to hit her.
'There was blood on her face, coming from her mouth,' said Mrs Jackson.
A male witness intervened, grabbing the defendant by his clothes and pinning him against a wall, intending to keep him there until the police arrived.
Paintain told the man: 'I get stressed sometimes, and that's why I hit her."
The defendant then tried to hit the witness, causing the two men to fall to the floor and as this happened Paintain tried to bite him, said Mrs Jackson.
Another witness described the defendant earlier making a throat cutting gesture, indicating that he would do that to his partner. There were knives on the table and some of the younger witnesses were terrified and screaming.
Others who were present during the incident said the defendant had threatened to stab his partner or slit her throat.
The court heard that Paintain had a history of breaching court orders, and had done this eight times with a non-molestation order.
Lauren Heasley, for Paintain, said the defendant had reflected on his behaviour and was 'noticeably upset' when the offending was outlined to him.
'He said he has very little memory of events, but he knows his behaviour was unacceptable and that he must make changes to his life,' said the lawyer.
Paintain had lost four members of his family in rapid succession, but he had not yet grieved for that loss. Diagnosed with PTSD, he also suffered social anxiety and severe depression.
The holiday had been the couple's first for many years, but Paintain's anxiety was triggered the he reacted by drinking alcohol to excess.
'He has a significant alcohol addiction,' said the lawyer, explaining that the defendant had sought support from Alcoholics Anonymous. He had also suggested that the court could give him an alcohol treatment requirement.
Magistrates adjourned sentencing until August 19.
Paintain was granted conditional bail in the meantime and told that the Probation Service will prepare a background report on him before sentence is passed.
His bail conditions include a stipulation that he must have no contact with his partner, and he must live and sleep each day at his mother's address in Moorcroft Close, Workington.
He is also banned from going to Kent where he and his partner live and he must observe a daily curfew which will last each day from 6pm to 8am.
