Liskeard veteran with PTSD assaulted drunk girl, her mum and a female police officer
A veteran with severe post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) assaulted three women including a teenager and a police officer when his offer to help a drunk girl was refused. Mark Tween, 37, from Chapel Row in Liskeard, appeared before Truro Crown Court today (Thursday, April 25) for sentencing after pleading guilty to three charges of assault in connection with the incident during the Bank Holiday weekend in May last year.
The former lance corporal with the Royal Military Police, had come out of the Crow's Nest pub in Darite, on the edge of Bodmin Moor, when he came across a group of teenagers camping nearby. The court heard how he tried to help one of the teenage girls when he found her drunk, but took umbrage when his help was neither wanted nor needed after being told that the 17-year-old's parents had been contacted and were on their way.
The incident happened on May 29 last year. The court was told how an argument ensued with the girl's mother. When the girl got in between her mum and Tween to try to break the incident up he punched her in the face causing bruising to her face and making her fall and bang her head. When the mum confronted Tween he also punched her on the nose.
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The court was told that by then some of those involved had moved back towards the nearby pub and Devon and Cornwall Police was called. When officers arrived and tried to speak to Tween, he became obstructive and again violent. When the female police officer at the scene tried to arrest him he struck the side of her face and dragged her on the floor which caused the officer to suffer injuries to her arms.
Tween, who was drunk, ran off but was located in a nearby lane and arrested by police. He told officers in interview that those involved had been in his face and he felt threatened by them. He said that hitting the police officer had been an accident.
In his defence it was heard that Tween was a man of previously good character who had served his country with distinction, did fundraising work for the Cornwall Air Ambulance and had been a flag bearer for the Royal British Legion. Ed Bailey, defending, said: "He apologises unreservedly for his shameful conduct that evening. He regrets his actions and has expressed genuine remorse for what happened.
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"He started off trying to help but when it was explained to him that the drunk girl's parents were on their way to collect her he thought to dominate the proceedings and lost his temper and threatened them. It was a one-off moment of madness."
Mr Bailey said Tween had been diagnosed with severe PTSD in 2021 and suffered from anxiety and depression and had been impacted by the breakup of his marriage. He said that Tween, who works for a local engineering firm and is well regarded, had taken steps to seek the help he needs to address his mental health issues.
His Honour Judge Simon Carr said it had been a bizarre incident and conduct from Tween brought on by his mental health issues with his military training kicking in while under the influence of alcohol.
He told Tween: "You felt the need to help and that offer of help was genuine but it was obvious that your help was neither wanted nor needed and you took that as an affront. Instead of simply walking away an altercation followed and you assaulted three women including a 17-year-old and a police officer. Your reaction came from your mental health problems. You have shown remorse and you are a man of good character and are getting the support you need."
Judge Carr sentenced Tween to three months in prison suspended for two years and ordered him to pay £500 compensation to each of the three women he assaulted.