Man living in shed attacked passer-by (From This is The West Country)

Man living in shed attacked passer-by

9:06am Friday 5th October 2012 in Cornwall By Greg Fountain, Reporter/Photographer

A Truro man who was living in shed by a footpath shouted abuse at a 50-year-old lady before pushing her to the ground, a court heard.

Nicholas James Lenton, now of Treminer Road in St Austell pleaded guilty to one count of assault by beating at Truro Magistrates' Court.

The 31-year-old had been “staying on the footpath in a hut for the past five days” when the offence took place on July 14, according to prosecutor Anita Kennett.

She said: “The complainant in this matter, a Mrs McKenzie-Smith, came upon this defendant wearing a National Trust fleece top - although as far as the police are aware he has no connection.

“He said to her 'I have been staying on the footpath in a hut for the past five days to get some fresh air and get out and about.'”

Mrs McKenzie-Smith carried on her way but “for no particular reason” Lenton started to shout abuse at her and walked after her “in an aggressive manner,” Miss Kennett said.

He then pushed her to the ground, where she hit her head and lost her glasses, before walking off.

The victim armed herself with a stick and “broke into a run” to find help, the court heard, but when she went to find her glasses with the help of two passersby Lenton returned, only to walk off in the direction of Newham.

Lenton, who suffers from psychotic episodes and is bipolar, was also in breach of a conditional discharge made in December of last year.

The case was adjourned until October 19 for reports to be prepared by the probation service and mental health team.