A STUDENT pushed over a Hereford solicitor after trying to find out who had blocked in his partner's car. 

Carter Gaunt, from Kings Caple, pleaded guilty by basis to one count of common assault and one of assault by beating when he appeared at Hereford Magistrates Court on November 22.

Prosecuting solicitor, Mark Hambling said the 22-year-old followed Huw Jones into Humfrys & Symonds solicitors in St John Street at 10.30am on April 27 and asks him 'where David is'.

RELATED NEWS

"Mr Gaunt's partner's car is in a private car park and is blocked by someone from the law firm, so he [Gaunt] goes in," said Mr Hambling.

"He confronts Mr Jones and asks, 'are you David?' Mr Jones replies 'no'.

"Mr Gaunt refuses to go away and invades his personal space. He [Mr Jones] is 65 and feels threatened and he asked him [Gaunt] to go away. 

"Mr Gaunt does not and he [Mr Jones] is grabbed by both hands and pushed to the ground. Other people are alerted and at least one member of staff sees Mr Gaunt on top of Mr Jones.

"Mr Jones is adamant he is grabbed and pushed. The basis of the plea is that it was a push and not a grab and push.

"There are no lasting injuries but it's not pleasant. I have spoken to him [Mr Jones] today [November 22] and he said he was shaken up."

OTHER NEWS:

In defence, Marilena Di Vitantonio said her client doesn't accept that he grabbed Mr Jones.

"Mr Gaunt's partner was clearly in distress," she said.

"She parked her vehicle at the back of the premises and didn't appreciate or realise it was a private car park. She had gone to the chemist prior to work, goes back and is blocked in.

"She is distressed and doesn't want to be late for work. She is told someone at Humfrys & Symonds called Dave did it. She calls Mr Gaunt and is extremely upset."

Ms Di Vitantonio added that Mr Gaunt follows a member of the public through the door of the law firm's office 'to try and find Dave'. She says that, as he goes up the stairs, Gaunt barges Mr Jones, causing him to fall.

"He is a student and extremely apologetic and remorseful," said Ms Di Vitantonio.

"He works part-time, is at university and has a dependant."

Gaunt was told by the magistrates that he has 'nought out of 10 for judgement'.

He was handed a conditional discharge for 18 months. However, the court did issue a restraining order, prohibiting Gaunt from contacting Mr Jones directly or indirectly or from visiting Humfrys & Symonds. He will also have to pay Mr Jones £100 in compensation, as well as court costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £26 respectively.