Ex-boxing coach assaulted elderly woman during neighbourhood dispute in Chesterfield

Pictured is John Mulkeen, of Hedley Drive, Brimington, Chesterfield, arriving at Chesterfield magistrates' court where he was found guilty of assaulting an elderly woman.

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard during a trial on Friday, December 4, how John Mulkeen, 48, of Hedley Drive, Brimington, Chesterfield, attacked next-door neighbour Glenys Booth and left her with bruising to a buttock and an arm, a cut hand and tinnitus.

Prosecuting solicitor Sherrall Pickford explained Mrs Booth and her husband David have a driveway and over the years its use has triggered a neighbourhood dispute.

Miss Pickford said: “When Mr and Mrs Booth were in their lounge with Mr Booth’s sister they saw Mr Mulkeen come down their drive and the exterior lights came on and the impression they got was that this man was gesturing to encourage Mr Booth to come out. But because of Mr Booth’s health Mrs Booth didn’t want him to go out and she went herself. As she and Mr Mulkeen drew closer, Mr Mulkeen pushed her with his hands with such force that she fell over causing superficial injuries.”

CCTV security camera footage shared with the court shows Mr Booth, who has prostate cancer, returning from an evening playing darts and he repeatedly opened and closed a wheelie bin lid before going inside.

Further footage shows Mulkeen then moving the bin and banging it into Mrs Booth’s car before he gestures for Mr Booth to come out and throws the bin towards Mrs Booth as she comes from her house.

Mulkeen pleaded not guilty after claiming Mrs Booth, now aged 70, tried to grab him around the throat as he approached her and he had acted in self defence by pushing her arms away.

Mulkeen claimed he had gone outside because he had heard Mr Booth shouting and banging against his wall and then saw Mr Booth, now aged 72, bouncing in his house making two-finger gestures.

The defendant argued Mrs Booth had grabbed his throat when he approached her and he had put his arms up to knock hers away and she fell.

But magistrates found Mulkeen guilty of assault by beating after the attack on October 7, 2014.

Mrs Booth said Mulkeen had also banged on her window and come at her like a “raging bull” and she had put her hands up to protect herself. Magistrates adjourned the case until December 9 to consider a probation service report before sentencing.