John Sumner’s actions were said to be “horrible and degrading” for his victim
John Sumner, 62, of Huyton, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court to be sentenced for assault and a breach of a non-molestation order
A “childish” man threw a cup of liquid over his former partner and told her it was urine. John Sumner, 62, of Salerno Drive, Huyton, had at one point been in a happy relationship but it had turned “toxic” largely due to his issues with drinking.
Sumner, who had previously breached court issued orders in respect of a different woman, swore at his partner before turning up at her home address and throwing a cup of liquid over her. A judge at Liverpool Crown Court told Sumner today, Thursday, that his actions would have been “horrible and degrading” for his victim.
The court heard Sumner and Cheryl Boydell had been in a relationship but she ultimately believed it to be “toxic”. At around 8.30pm on February 22 this year, police were called to Ms Boydell’s address but no further action was taken as she “just wanted him away from the property”.
Three days later she saw her ex-partner’s van was still outside her address and asked him to collect it that day before he went to the pub. Ms Boydell later recalled that day seeing the van parked by the local shops. When she approached it she was called a “f***ing rat” by the defendant.
She returned home and called the police but soon again saw the vehicle parked near her house. Olivia Randell, prosecuting, told the court the victim then recalled seeing the defendant holding a cup, which he proceeded to throw the contents of over her.
The court heard when Ms Boydell asked what it was, Sumner replied: “P***.” He then got back in his van and left. He was later arrested by police officers and told them the cup contained urine.
But Ms Randell said: “It could not be proved what it was and the defendant went on to say that it was an energy drink.” The court heard a non-molestation order was put in place on April 28 which prevented the defendant from contacting his ex-partner. However, he breached this on April 12.
Ms Randell read a victim impact statement to the court from Ms Boydell. The victim said: “No words that can truly capture someone you once loved turn on you, he threw liquid in my face and I still struggle to understand how a human does that to another.
“I didn’t know if it was acid or something meant to blind me. His response was degrading. He continued to verbally abuse me. I have a 21-year-old daughter who is autistic, since then she sees everything differently. She lives in fear that he will return.
“The act wasn’t random, it was someone who knew me. This wasn’t an assault on me but on the emotional safety of me and my daughter’s home. All I want is peace, safety and the chance to rebuild our lives.”
The court heard the defendant had four previous convictions for 11 offences. Most recently this was four breaches of a different non-molestation order regarding a different ex-partner in 2022.
Sumner was originally charged with administering poison/a noxious thing with intent to injure, aggrieve or annoy. However, after the crown was unable to prove it was in fact urine that he threw, he pleaded guilty to an alternative of common assault and breach of a non-molestation order.
Matthew O’Neill, defending, told the court: “The defendant has accepted throwing the liquid at the complainant but the issue was he denied it was urine. A number of weeks later the crown could not prove it was urine. Had the crown offered that offence in the magistrates’ court, he would have pleaded there and then.
“He accepted the assault. Perhaps there is a case for full credit. The defendant is clearly someone with issues with alcohol. He says it was the main cause of the breakdown of their relationship.
“Excessive use of alcohol has been a case since his younger brother took his own life 20/30 years ago. He is a hardworking individual. He informed his employer after his arrest and was suspended due to the outstanding proceedings.”
Mr O’Neill added before the breaches of the non-molestation order in respect of his previous partner, he had not been in trouble for 42 years. He added the defendant was a full-term carer for his mum.
Mr O’Neill told the court his client had “shown remorse” and, if given the opportunity, would “grab with both hands” the chance to address his alcohol issues.
Sentencing, Judge John McGarva told the defendant that the offences were more serious because they were in a domestic context and he had acted in a similar fashion in a previous relationship. The judge told Sumner his behaviour was “very childish” but also “horrible and degrading” for the victim.
He added: “It would have caused a great amount of fear.” Judge McGarva accepted the defendant had shown some remorse, but that there were also elements of victim blaming that would need to change if he wanted a relationship in the future.
The judge sentenced the defendant, who wore a black suit and waistcoat and sported shaved hair, to 20 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months. He also told Sumner that he would have to do 20 rehabilitation days, carry out a six-month alcohol treatment programme and be subject to a three-month electronic day. Sumner will also have to pay £500 to his victim and be subject to a two-year restraining order.