Kendal man's 'sexual experiment' with golf club ended in court

The woman suffered 'searing pain' and 'significant bruising' as a result of 58-year-old John Halden striking her with the handle of the golf club, Carlisle Crown Court heard. He later admitted an actual bodily harm assault.

Prosecutor Alex Beevers outlined the offence, which was committed after the defendant met the victim through a dating app.

The pair began a consensual sexual relationship.

This included a 'mutual agreement' between them to explore so-called BDSM sexual practices – activities associated with bondage, dominance, submission, sadism, and masochism, said the barrister.

Their contact also included 'rough sex' and the use of sex toys, the court heard.

Describing the assault, the barrister said the woman later recalled being naked and kneeling on a bed in Halden’s bedroom when she suddenly felt a painful sting on her buttocks and the top of her legs.

This resulted from the defendant hitting her with the golf club handle.

Mr Beevers said: “The defendant didn’t stop; and she could not get off the bed. He hit her nine times before she was able to get off the bed.” When she turned round, she saw that Halden was holding a golf club.

“At that point, the defendant did desist,” said the prosecutor. The woman later said she had asked Halden to stop but he claimed he did not hear her say that.

Describing the case as 'unusual', Mr Beevers said the woman had referred in a message to 'enjoying' seeing the bruises after the incident.

The court heard that the incident had a 'significant impact' on the woman, crushing her confidence and prompting her to have 'extensive therapy.'

Anthony Horsfall, defending, said the case's long history included a period when Halden was told he was under investigation for more serious offences and it was only in April this year that the actual bodily harm charge was finalised.

“It’s had a substantial impact on him,” said the barrister.

This included Halden losing his job and being unable to find another one. A man of previous good character, the defendant was assessed as posing a 'low risk' of reconviction.

“Having seen the nature of the injuries sustained, he regrets that level of injury,” said Mr Horsfall. “His actions were not designed to cause injury or to cause unnecessary suffering.

“It’s right to say that at the time of the offence, alcohol had been consumed, but this is not a defendant who has longstanding difficulties with alcohol.”

The barrister added that he would never have acted as he did had he known the potential legal consequences.

Judge Nicholas Barker said it was clear that there had been a 'degree of mutual interest in sexual experimentation' between the defendant and the victim and she had willingly gone along with this.

But on the day of the assault, the woman experienced 'searing pain' as Halden wielded the golf club handle, essentially hitting her with a 'metal rod'.

“It would have been obvious, or if it wasn’t obvious, it should have been, that this would cause significant pain,” said the judge.

While the woman willingly experimented sexually with Halden, from Kentrigg, Kendal, there was nothing in the background of her contact with the defendant to suggest that she wished to receive such force.

“This was wholly and grossly inappropriate,” continued the judge.

“You struck her repeatedly on her bottom with a very hard object; and she said she was asking you to stop. You say she wasn’t.” At the very least, said the judge, Halden’s actions were reckless.

Judge Barker imposed an 18-month community order with 30 rehabilitation activity days and 60 hours of unpaid work.