Man threatened witness (From Cotswold Journal)

Man threatened witness

12:00pm Saturday 16th March 2013 in News

A MAN who threatened a shop assistant who had seen him attack his partner’s brother has escaped being jailed.

Paul May had pleaded guilty at Warwick Crown Court to wounding and common assault, but denied a further charge of witness intimidation.

But on the day of his trial, May, aged 36, of Watery Lane, Shipston, changed his plea to guilty, and was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for two years.

Prosecutor Stefan Kolodynski said that in June last year the Williams family went to the Horseshoe pub in Shipston to celebrate Joe Williams’ 30th birthday. Among the group were May and his partner Katie – Mr Williams’ sister. Witnesses said that an argument broke out resulting in May punching Mr Williams.

Despite May handing himself in to police, an identity parade was set up, to be attended by witness Ebony Gilkes.

In September, she was working in Shipston Co-op when May walked in and asked her: “Do you recognise me?” He left the store but returned 10 minutes later and asked: “Well, do you?”

When Ms Gilkes said she did, May told her: “You’d better not recognise me when it matters”.

Graeme Simpson, defending, handed letters from both Mr Williams and his sister to Judge Marten Coates, who commented: “They point out it would be really difficult for them if you were jailed. You would lose your job and you would not be able to look after your family.”