Husband cleared of stun gun assault

Antony Smith's actions were found to be in self-defence after his wife smashed a mirror over his head during an argument

A husband has been cleared of attacking his wife with a stun gun.

Antony Smith, 42, was accused of attacking his wife, Terri, with the weapon after she smashed a mirror over his head at their home in Swindon, Wiltshire.

Smith was cleared of a single count of assault by battery by magistrates at Chippenham.

Presiding magistrate Roger Coleman said: "We find that the defendant did act in self-defence, we believe his version of events. The defendant's actions were reasonable in the circumstances."

Smith had admitted he threatened his wife with the gun but said he knew the battery in the device was dead.

He said: "She just flipped out and got up like a woman possessed and threw over the coffee table.

"She also threw the parrot cage towards the plasma TV. There was bird seed everywhere."

He said he threatened her with the stun gun after she smashed him over the head with the mirror.

"The device was dead though. I'd taken the battery out of a smoke alarm and put it in there. There wasn't enough charge in it to work."

Defending Smith, Terry McCarthy said Smith bought the device for his wife as a deterrent against thieves when she was in their convertible car in Spain.

Contributor

Steven Morris and agency

The GuardianTramp

Related Content

Article image
G20 police sergeant cleared of baton assault

Delroy Smellie ruled to have acted lawfully when striking G20 protester Nicola Fisher on legs during Ian Tomlinson vigil

Paul Lewis and Mark Tran

31, Mar, 2010 @2:30 PM

Article image
Police carrying stun guns ‘more likely to use force and face assault’
Study suggests presence of weapon leads to rise in hostility between officers and public

Haroon Siddique

20, Dec, 2018 @12:01 AM

Article image
Stuart Hall found guilty of indecent assault but cleared of rape

Jury finds former BBC broadcaster guilty of indecently assaulting girl in 1970s but clears him of all rape charges

Helen Pidd, northern editor, and Ami Sedghi

16, May, 2014 @11:53 AM

Article image
Bill Roache's children break down as father cleared of rape and sexual assault
Coronation Street actor's children Linus, James and Verity flanked father every day during trial at Preston crown court

Helen Pidd, northern editor

06, Feb, 2014 @5:28 PM

Shoe tycoon's ex-husband cleared of hacking charge
· Billionaire hired firm to spy on empire, court told
· Accused did not know law was broken on his behalf

Matthew Taylor

28, Jun, 2007 @10:59 PM

Article image
Chief inspector cleared of shoplifting

Kim Molloy says common sense prevails after Derby court clears her of stealing £12.72 worth of make-up from Tesco

Helen Carter

11, Nov, 2010 @1:14 PM

Article image
Husband of murdered postmistress arrested

Robin Garbutt held in connection with death of his wife in living quarters above Melsonby post office

Helen Carter

14, Apr, 2010 @11:06 AM

Husband denies ordering wife's murder

Fadi Nasri ordered killing of police constable wife to cash in on life assurance policy, court hears

Audrey Gillan

21, Feb, 2008 @12:04 AM

Michael Roberts charged with murder of strangled wife
Man arrested in Wrexham to appear in court

Adam Gabbatt

08, Dec, 2009 @1:52 AM

'Honour killing' mother challenges husband in court
Dramatic outburst from wife of man accused of murdering 15-year-old

Karen McVeigh

21, Oct, 2009 @1:42 PM