By Staff Reporter

Last updated at 11:01, Saturday, 28 November 2009

A Cumbrian man taken to court for assaulting a woman was previously told he was not angry enough for a probation service course to help him control his temper.

But Stephen Morland’s offence, when he spat at his victim outside a petrol station, convinced a district judge that the time was right for him to attend anger management classes.

The court was told that 39-year-old Morland, of Mayburgh Close, Eamont Bridge, near Penrith, spat at Mary McCance outside the Esso garage in Bridge Lane, on October 4.

There had been a history of ill feeling between the two, the court heard.

The defendant said that he had been provoked, but the prosecution said they did not accept that claim.

After speaking to the defendant, who admitted common assault, probation officer Derek Irwin said Morland, a painter and decorator, was so ashamed of his actions that he had not even told his mother what h

District judge Gerald Chalk imposed a 12-month community order, with a requirement to do 140 hours unpaid work in the community.

He also imposed £85 costs, £100 compensation for the victim, and ruled that Morland should be helped with anger management by the probation service.

First published at 08:56, Saturday, 28 November 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk