Man accused of serious assault acquitted
Maidstone crown court,
where Ludlow was acquitted
by Keith Hunt
A man has been acquitted of a serious assault charge during a
confrontation in the street.
James Ludlow was alleged to have headbutted and punched Thomas
Scully, fracturing his jaw in March last year.
But a jury found the 22-year-old, of Temeraire Manor, Brompton,
not guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Maidstone Crown Court heard Mr Scully was walking home from the
Spyglass and Kettle pub in Wigmore when he suffered the injury.
Prosecutor Trevor Wright said there was a history between the
two men. Two years previously Mr Scully had been in a relationship
with Marie Hart, who then dated Mr Ludlow.
Mr Scully was at the junction with Swain Road and Hoath Lane
when he heard someone calling.
He looked around and saw it was Mr Ludlow, who commented on
"apparent" contact between Mr Scully and Miss Hart five months
earlier.
Mr Ludlow was alleged to have launched the attack, before
getting into the passenger seat of a waiting car and being driven
away.
He denied the charge and claimed Mr Scully mouthed a
derogatory word at him as he and his friend drove past the
junction.
He said Mr Scully swung a punch, missed, and then swung again,
giving him a fat lip. He claimed he acted in self-defence by
punching Mr Scully once in the face. He denied headbutting him.
06/03/13
- Click here for more Medway news...
- Click here for more news from across the county...