Arrest warrant issued for Waterloo Rd actor

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a TV star who failed to appear at court after beating up his pregnant girlfriend.

Craig Fitzpatrick, 20, who plays bad boy Lewis Seddon in the BBC drama Waterloo Road, failed to turn up for sentence following an attack on girlfriend Julie Owens.

The actor, who once starred alongside David Beckham in an Adidas advert, failed to attend Tameside Magistrates' Court today following the assault in July.

His lawyer Mark Harper said his client had failed to arrive at the court because he was attending the funeral of his aunt.

The actor, of Poplar Street, Audenshaw, was also in hit comedy Shameless and medical drama Holby City.

He confessed to punching Miss Owens in the face following a row at his home at around 1.35pm on July 28 this year.

His partner suffered no serious injuries in the attack, but was left with bruising and swelling to her face.

He pleaded guilty to one count of Section 47 Assault at an earlier hearing on August 22.

The court heard he had also since failed to keep an appointment with probation services last Monday as this was the day his aunt died.

Magistrates issued a warrant for his arrest. Once he is taken into custody he will appear before court and a new date will be set for sentencing.