‘You shouldn’t talk to women like that, I will show you how nasty I am' - Man and woman in court over Sheffield city centre bust-up

Sheffield Magistrates’ Court, heard on September 16 how Nathan Birch, aged 37, of Castle Walk, Park Hill, Sheffield, and Louise Cooper, aged 34, of Maltravers Road, Wybourn, Sheffield, had been involved in the fracas at Devonshire Green, Sheffield.

Paul Canfield, prosecuting, said: “Both defendants were loud and rowdy and started arguing with two unknown men when the defendant shouted, ‘You shouldn’t talk to women like that, I will show you how nasty I am, c’mon.”

Birch punched one of the men repeatedly in the face and he fell to the ground before he was kicked, according to Mr Canfield.

He added Cooper was also seen to slap one man and when he was on the ground she was seen kicking him and there were two family groups with children nearby.

However, Mr Canfield conceded others were involved in starting the incident.

Birch and Cooper, who have previous convictions, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour after the incident on May 29.

Mr Canfield said both kicked someone and he claimed Birch had a stick or weapon but this defendant said he could not recall a weapon.

David Lawson, defending, said: “Mr Birch and his girlfriend and others were enjoying a hot summer’s afternoon in May on the Devonshire Green area and they became involved with the man referred to who was abusive to the group, in particular, Ms Cooper, but to such an extent there was a significant amount of provocation and it was Mr Birch who was attacked first and one of the men bit part of his ear off.”

Mr Lawson added Birch accepted he should have withdrawn but he was very angry after he had been assaulted and his partner was abused.

Clarkson Baptiste, defending, said: “It’s quite apparent there was an attack on Mr Birch which is evidenced by him missing part of the top of his ear lobe.”

Mr Baptiste added Cooper intervened to help her partner but she went beyond what was necessary.

Magistrates fined Cooper £180 and she must pay £85 costs and a £34 victim surcharge.

Birch’s case was adjourned provisionally until October 9 for magistrates to consider a probation report before sentencing.