A Liverpool father who punched his ex-girlfriend and poured wine over her head has been spared jail after a judge accepted he was “100 per cent certain” he would not reoffend. Craig McCarten, 51, attacked his former partner Lynette Fties during a drinking session at her home in the early hours of March 18, leaving her struggling to breathe and fearing she would die.
Attack followed argument
Liverpool Crown Court heard that McCarten, of Daffodil Road in Wavertree, had been in a “turbulent” relationship with Ms Fties for around seven months. The couple had split up before they began drinking together at her home. Following an argument, McCarten repeatedly punched her in the face, poured a glass of wine over her head, and pulled her by the hair.
Prosecutor Lucy Moran said McCarten then placed his hands around Ms Fties’ neck, leaving her struggling to breathe and “feeling genuinely scared that the defendant would kill her”. He eventually left after she told him to go.
Defendant on bail at time of offence
McCarten was on police bail with conditions not to contact Ms Fties following earlier arrests in January and March that did not result in charges. He has one previous conviction for eight offences, receiving a community order for burglary and fraud in October 2024.
In mitigation, Joanne Maxwell said McCarten had spent four months in custody at HMP Walton, where he acted as a mentor. She described the incident as “wholly out of character” and said the relationship was “tempestuous”. She added: “Mr McCarten is clearly a loving family man. He resides with one of his sisters. He is a father to four.”
McCarten expresses remorse
Reading a letter to the court, McCarten said: “After spending almost four months in custody, I’ve had much time to reflect on my actions and the consequences. I have four children and a loving, supportive family. I’ve reflected on my actions. I’m deeply remorseful for the pain and upset I’ve caused. I’ve missed milestones in my children’s lives. I’ve learned that family life can easily be taken away if I make poor choices. I’ve learned a harsh but meaningful lesson. I’m 100 per cent certain I will not make these mistakes in the future.”
Suspended sentence imposed
McCarten admitted one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on the day he was due to stand trial. Appearing via video link from HMP Liverpool, he was handed a 14-month imprisonment suspended for two years.
Sentencing, Recorder Anna Pope KC said: “She was frightened. She feared that you were going to kill her and feared she may lose consciousness. After you left, you then continued to send her a number of abusive messages. This was committed in the context of domestic abuse. You were on police bail at the time and you do have some previous convictions. They are not similar to the offence for which I am now sentencing you.”
She added: “You have a supportive family around you. You have led an industrious life. During your time in custody, you have acted as a mentor to others. You have four children, aged between 14 and 21, and you have good relationships with them. I have listened with care to the letter that you have read to me. You say that you are 100 per cent certain you won't repeat these mistakes. There is clearly another side to you. I take the view that this is a sentence which can be suspended.”
McCarten was also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 20 days, and a 60-day alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement. He was banned from contacting Ms Fties for five years under a restraining order.
