A BARROW businessman has admitted assaulting his brother-in-law and former business partner in an incident that left the victim with a 'significant' wound.

Paul Russell pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm after he admitted recklessly pushing over Sean Kell in an incident in Barrow.

South Cumbria Magistrates' Court heard the pair were business partners, including at the Wet Room bathroom shop, before a falling out.

Their fractious relationship appeared to come to a head on March 27 when Russell, 47, assaulted Mr Kell outside a shop in Barrow's Lesh Lane.

The court heard on the day of the incident the pair ran into each other when Russell was dropping his daughter off at school in the morning.

Mr Kell was said to have been pointing and laughing at Russell.

Magistrates heard that Russell then followed Mr Kell as he went to a shop in Lesh Lane.

Coming out of the shop, Mr Kell was met by Russell. The court heard the defendant aimed punches at Mr Kell but did not make contact.

Russell then pushed Mr Kell and caused him to fall and hit his head on a defibrillator, the court heard.

Prosecutor Lee Dacre said Mr Kell was left with a 'significant' wound on his head as a result of the assault and had to attend hospital.

The court heard Russell accepted he had recklessly pushed over his former colleague and was responsible for causing the injury.

The defendant said he and Mr Kell had been business partners between 2014 and 2021 until it became 'necessary' to split up the business and part ways.

Russell said he had followed Mr Kell after the meeting outside the school to confront him about his behaviour and did not set out to hurt him.

In mitigation, Trystan Roberts said Russell felt shame and remorse over the incident. 

The case was adjourned to allow for a pre-sentence report to be completed.

Russell, of Strathmore Avenue on Walney, is due to return to court on September 4 when he could be sentenced.

The defendant has been banned from having any contact with the victim under his bail conditions.