Ex boxing coach gets a restraining order after attacking elderly Chesterfield neighbour

Pictured is John Mulkeen, of Hedley Drive, Brimington, Chesterfield, arriving at Chesterfield magistrates' court where he was found guilty of assaulting an elderly woman.

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard on December 9, how John Mulkeen, 49, of Hedley Drive, Brimington, Chesterfield, attacked next-door neighbour Glenys Booth.

The assault happened during a neighbourhood dispute, according to the court, which has revolved around the use of Mrs Booth and her husband David’s driveway over the years.

Prosecuting solicitor Sherrall Pickford explained during a previous hearing Mulkeen had come down the drive and was gesturing for Mr Booth to come out.

Miss Pickford added that when Mrs Booth went out instead Mulkeen approached her and pushed her over with his hands.

CCTV footage initially showed Mr Booth, who has prostate cancer, returning from an evening out and repeatedly banging a wheelie bin lid before going inside.

Further footage shows Mulkeen then moving the bin, banging it into Mrs Booth’s car, gesturing for Mr Booth to come out and throwing the bin towards Mrs Booth before he assaulted her.

Mulkeen claimed Mrs Booth, now aged 70, tried to grab him and he had acted in self defence by pushing her arms away. He argued Mr Booth, now aged 72, had been making two-finger gestures.

But magistrates found Mulkeen guilty of assault after the attack on October 7, 2014.

Magistrates sentenced Mulkeen to a 12 month community order with 60 hours of unpaid work and a one-year restraining order. He was also ordered to pay £100 compensation, a £60 victim surcharge and £620 costs.