Tuesday, 1 October 2013

Rugby league legend Sean Long "throttled disabled mum unconscious in row ...



PUBLISHED:


11:50, 1 October 2013




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UPDATED:


12:03, 1 October 2013



A disabled mum broke down in tears and told a court how rugby league star Sean Long throttled her unconscious in a row over money. 


The ex-St Helens player is accused of attacking Pamela Twist, 41, in her home as he tried to recover cash from her now-estranged husband, St Helens Magistrates Court heard. 


But Long denies the attack and claims Ms Twist is making it up.


Denial: Salford Reds


Denial: Salford Reds’ assistant coach Sean Long



Weeping in the witness box, Ms Twist described how the rugby superstar screamed at her: ‘You stupid cripple. You stupid b****, you can’t do anything.’


The mum also explained how Long was convinced her former husband Paul had cash stashed in “safes” and demanded access to them during the violent bust-up in Rainford. Ms Twist said: ‘He put his hands round my neck.


‘He was pressing two points on my throat. I began to black out. I remember my children, aged between four and 10, were banging on the conservatory window going “mum, mum, mum, mum!”


‘I was terrified. It made me feel worthless. I could see the lights in front of my eyes.’


Ms Twist alleged an ‘over 6ft domineering’ accomplice was with Long who told her, while the former scrum-half was outside: ‘I can make people disappear.’


But Long, 37, denies the attack on May 17 last year ever took place. 



His barrister Sean Joyce described the account as ‘fictitious’ and accused mum-of-five Ms Twist of fabricating the tale because she owed the now-retired rugby star thousands in rent money and had left his plush detached home in Wigan trashed after moving out. 


Giving evidence, Long told the court he was in a gym at the time of the alleged assault and could not strangle anyone as he had broken his finger. He added: ‘I’m absolutely devastated someone has come out saying I’m a woman beater.



‘I don’t do that. I play rugby league. I’m a good servant to my club and I’m a dad. “For someone to say that is pathetic.’


But prosecutor Andrew Hodgson challenged Long: ‘In 1996 you assaulted a female and fractured her cheek. And in January, 2012, you received a caution for an offence of battery. You have used violence and you are prepared to use violence and on May 17 you took matters into your own hands and you assaulted Pamela Twist, didn’t you?’


‘No,’ replied Long. 


Mr Joyce told the court Ms Twist had used the name of Claire Long, the rugby star’s ex-wife, to apply and buy still unpaid children’s presents and women’s clothing for Christmas from the online catalogue company Very. 


Mr Joyce said: ‘Very systematically, you set about defrauding a catalogue company, not content with two refusals, you tried a third time with a different date of birth and a fourth time in the name of Claire Long cynically to obtain personal items for Christmas.’


He told Ms Twist: ‘It’s payback, isn’t it?’


Long, 37, famed in his playing days for his instantly-recognisable blonde dreadlocks, denies a charge of common assault. 


In 2000 he won rugby league’s ‘Man of Steel’ award as player of the season.


The case continues.







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Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-24335478


Rugby league legend Sean Long "throttled disabled mum unconscious in row ...
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