A jury at Gloucester Crown Court has heard that Conservative councillor Nicholas Housden allegedly assaulted his former business partner Gerard McGinty, causing a 3.8cm wound that required hospital treatment. The alleged incident occurred when Housden discovered he was being locked out of his constituency office in Stonehouse.
The prosecutor stated that the assault took place after Housden was removed from his directorship in the Bridge companies, which had leased the office in question. It is alleged that Housden confronted McGinty while a locksmith was changing the locks, resulting in a physical altercation. McGinty described the encounter as aggressive, with both parties throwing punches before the locksmith intervened.
The trial is ongoing, and McGinty’s account of the incident is a key aspect of the proceedings. The defense contended that the two men had a positive relationship until shortly before the altercation.