It’s a ‘Full Spouse’ of Blood for Bingo Brawling Couple

Buzz Bingo is one of the most popular bingo brands here in the UK, where an evening (or afternoon) of fun with the chance to win big cash prizes are promised. However, things didn’t exactly go to plan one evening last year and players got a lot more than they bargained for.

On March 19^th last year, 71-year old George Cressey from Bransholme in Kingston upon Hull was visiting the bingo hall with his wife of 40-years. The boozy pensioner left his frail wife in a pool of blood after shoving her viciously off the seat she occupied outside the club.

His wife, (then) 86-year old Mrs Cressey, hit the floor outside the Buzz Bingo hall in Hull and suffered a bloodied nose as well as a broken shoulder bone and found herself laying in a pool of blood while waiting on emergency services.

 Now almost a year later…

…CCTV footage of the incident has been shown to Thornton Court and clearly shows Cressey launching an unprovoked attack on his wife before standing up and walking away as if nothing had happened. As reported in Hull Live, jurors were told that after the attack, Mr Cressey was on morphine for the pain and now lives separately from her former husband. 

Why Did He Snap?

Phillip Evans, prosecuting said: "(The victim), now a lady of 87-years-old, and the defendant has gone to Buzz Bingo hall for the day to play bingo. They had a convivial day, with each of them partaking in alcoholic liquor at the bingo hall. At around 3.30pm, (the victim) went to sit outside and was joined by the defendant and the events that unfolded were then captured on CCTV.

Staff were left in distress to see Mrs Cressey covered in blood and laying in a pool of blood and were astonished that the defendant paid little heed to the condition of his wife, but he did go in the ambulance with her to Hull Royal Infirmary, where he gave abuse about remarks made about the claimant's condition.

(The victim) had little recollection of what took place…

…but following the push by the defendant, Mrs Cressey struck the bridge of her nose on the table edge and this caused a cut. In the fall she also sustained a fracture to her humerus where it connects with the shoulder. Dr Benjamin Lambert confirmed that the fracture was in the arm bone close to the shoulder and facial injuries due to cuts and bruises.

The facial wound was closed with tape and Mrs Cressey was admitted to hospital for observation to see how the fracture healed. She was treated with a sling, but the pain was indeed severe as the pain relief for her included prescribing morphine.

The physiotherapists were first unable to at first carry out an assessment as Mrs Cressey was in too much pain. In the end, it was thought right to discharge Mrs Cressey to Thornton Court, an assisted living unit where her needs could be met. Whilst Mrs Cressey was at Thornton Court, the defendant arrived inebriated and wanted money but was sent away. This was the only occasion, almost a year ago, when contact has taken place.”

The Verdict

David Godfrey, defending Cressey said the attack was an ‘accident’ even though Cressey had admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm. "The defendant's initial representation was that it was an accident and a misunderstanding and when I showed him the CCTV, he was shocked and entered a guilty plea," Godfrey said.

He was horrified and there was a degree of confusion as to what happened. In the last 12 months his health has deteriorated significantly, and it seems that his wife was his strength in the relationship as she sorted his life out, and he has since become isolated.

He doesn't have any clear understanding as to why he did it and one factor could be that it was committed whilst in drink and that could add to the confusion at the time. Through me, he wants to express his severe regret.”

The judge, David Tremberg ordered he speak with a probation officer in court or face jail time. After a short break, Cressey changed his mind and opted for the help rather than a prison sentence. He was sentenced to nine months suspended for two-years and he must complete 40-day rehabilitation course.