Wife admits lying over assault by husband
A wife and mother-of-two who claimed her husband beat her up in front of their screaming children has now told a jury it was she who assaulted him.
Tracey Mellor, aged 34, was accused of changing her story when the evidence she gave in court against her husband Gavin differed from what she told police in October.
Gavin Mellor, aged 38, is charged with actual bodily harm and assault against his wife of 11 years.
They had been guests at her sister's wedding last year when they returned home, arguing, and were seen scuffling in the street.
At Northampton Crown Court yesterday, a jury heard how two independent witnesses called the police after seeing Mellor repeatedly punch his wife in the face.
Mellor, of Rosenella Close, Briar Hill, Northampton, has pleaded not guilty, claiming he was acting in self- efence.
When Tracey Mellor was called to give evidence against him, she told the jury it was she who had been attacking her husband and the injuries she sustained were accidental.
She said: "I just lashed out and as I was punching and kicking Gavin, he pushed me back and – with my heels and dress – I staggered back against the car.
"Gavin did nothing to me that night. None of what is in my statement is true, He did not do anything to me.
"I said this in April and we should not be here today.
"He did nothing to me.
"I was doing it to him and they didn't want to believe that a woman was actually hitting a man."
Benedict Peers, prosecuting, said: "Could you please explain why it is that in the hours after this incident you gave police an entirely different version to the version you have given today."
Mrs Mellor said: "I was worried I would be charged with assaulting him."
The trial continues.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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