Drunk man's violent attack
AN Ipswich dad got so drunk he threw his girlfriend over a fence before threatening to kill policemen.
AN Ipswich dad got so drunk he threw his girlfriend over a fence before threatening to kill policemen.
Laurence Ruffles shouted at partner Rebecca Merritt and kicked her violently in an attack in April.
Police arrived at the scene to find Ruffles, 30, had taken off his jacket and was behaving aggressively and abusively.
Lesla Small, prosecuting in the case hearing at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court, said that Ms Merritt had been frightened by his behaviour.
Ms Small said: “He says he does not remember it but he believes he was capable of doing it when he was in a rage.
“He said he had no intention at any time to beat the police officers up.”
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But she also described how Ruffles had said: “I'm going to take you on and break your neck.”
Ruffles, who lived in Cavendish Street during the trial but said he now intended to live with Ms Merritt in Sproughton Court, pleaded guilty to assault and said: “It was an overreaction on my part. I am very sorry.
“It was a bad day but it is not any excuse. We riled each other up.
“I'm not proud of myself. When the police turned up I just wanted to tell them to go away.
“I understand now they had the right to do their duty. I was being an idiot.”
Ruffles, who pleaded guilty to battery, said he was on anti-depressant medication and so he should not have been drinking alcohol that night.
Magistrates ordered the preparation of a pre-sentence report before they decide Ruffles' sentence on May 26, but would not rule out a custodial sentence.
