Homeless 'chronic alcoholic' attacked family member he was staying with during pandemic

Keith James Perkins admitted assaulting another person by beating when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

The 53-year-old, who has no fixed address, had been staying with family during the coronavirus pandemic when police were called on January 28, prosecutor Ralph Robyns Landricombe said.

The victim had woken up at around 8am that morning, when he heard Perkins opening his first alcoholic drink of the day, the court heard.

The victim had then gone back to sleep until around 5pm, and was talking to one of the home's other residents when a slurring, stumbling Perkins went into his room to ask him for a phone.

Later that evening Perkins had again gone into the victim's room and was told leave.

But when Perkins refused to move, the victim, who said he felt threatened, barged him with his shoulder, knocking him onto the bed.

He got up and again the victim tried to barge him out of the way, but Perkins launched himself at the victim, grabbing him by the throat, pushing him over, and pinning him to the floor.

Perkins was pulled off the victim by another resident, who pushed him out before calling the police.

In interview, Perkins said he had drunk eight cans and half a bottle of Jack Daniels that day and could not remember much.

Emma Thorne, for Perkins, said he had always had a good relationship with the victim.

"He is a chronic alcoholic and has been for many years," she said.

"He lost his housing some years ago and has been housed since, but there was a fire, and he has been blacklisted, so he was staying with family.

"It was after he was pushed that he retaliated, and he has since reached out to reconcile with his family."

Perkins was handed a 12 month community order, was fined £25, received a 12 month restraining order banning him from visiting the victim's address, and must complete a nine-month alcohol treatment programme.

He must also pay costs of £50 and a £95 victim surcharge.