A Warrington man has been ordered to pay £100 in compensation after he subjected a neighbour to a fat-shaming tirade during a heated argument.
Court hears details of sustained abuse
Aaron Quinn, 33, of Burton Wood, Warrington, pleaded guilty at Warrington Magistrates' Court to using insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress. He also admitted to a charge of criminal damage relating to an outside wall light.
The court heard that the incident on March 28 began with Quinn having a falling out with another neighbour, Michael Taylor. Prosecutor Miss Renee Southern stated that Quinn had gone to Taylor's address, banging and kicking on the door, demanding he come out.
"When he came out an argument ensued," said Miss Southern. "Then as the defendant walked away from the address he pulled an outside light causing damage to that light, essentially causing it to break."
Verbal abuse targeted woman's weight
Later the same day, Quinn became involved in an argument with a different neighbour, Sarah Allen. The mother-of-two, who works as a barmaid and volunteers for a domestic abuse charity, was subjected to verbally abusive comments about her weight.
"He has been verbally abusive towards her, making her feel stressed and making comments about her weight, calling her fat," the prosecutor told the court. "He was being generally abusive towards her. It resulted in a public order offence, causing her harassment and distress. We would say it was a sustained incident."
Mitigation and sentencing
In mitigation, Quinn's solicitor Gary Schooler said his client had been deeply affected by the death of his mother prior to the incident and suffered from chronic insomnia. "He described that as shaking him and rocking him to the core," said Mr Schooler, adding that Quinn had relied on his mother for emotional support.
The solicitor acknowledged the "prolonged argument" during which Quinn made "abusive and hurtful comments" but noted there had been no further incidents since. Quinn has since moved several miles away to live with his partner, whom Mr Schooler described as a "positive influence".
Sentencing, Justice of the Peace Ian Johnston said: "We are going to prioritise compensation to Ms Allen who has been distressed by your repeated comments to her."
In addition to the £100 compensation order for Ms Allen, Quinn was fined £80 and ordered to pay a £114 victim surcharge. The court also imposed a 12-month restraining order prohibiting him from contacting Sarah Allen.
