Family feud led West Lynn man to launch assault in Loke Road off-licence
A West Lynn resident has been given a suspended prison sentence for a violent attack on another man in a corner shop.
It was sparked when Nigel Bailey confronted the victim over an alleged assault on a vulnerable woman. The complainant was hit with a bottle and feared he would be blinded when Bailey pressed his fingers into the man’s eyes.
Lynn Magistrates’ Court heard on Thursday that the men knew each other – their families had been in a long-running feud of six years. Bailey, 50, became angered by the man’s response and was first to swing a punch, which missed.
In CCTV footage shown to the court the two then grappled on the floor of North End Off Licence in Loke Road, knocking goods off the shelves. The worried shopkeeper could be seen trying to calm the situation. It happened at 10am on May 17.
Prosecuting, Robyn Khan said: “The defendant uses a bottle which he smashes to the victim’s head.” Miss Khan said it was an unprovoked attack and Bailey had intention to cause more serious harm than happened.
Bailey, of Fox's Lane, West Lynn, pleaded guilty to assault by beating and causing criminal damage.
Solicitor George Sorrell said in mitigation that it had been a chance meeting between the two men and Bailey had asked the complainant about some “bad behaviour” towards a relative of Bailey’s.
Mr Sorrell said the defendant was very sorry for what had happened and had already paid the shopkeeper for the damaged goods.
Sentencing Bailey to six weeks’ custody, suspended for 12 months, for the assault, chairman of the bench Paul Kidd told him: “This is a very serious matter. You not only hit the gentleman with a bottle, it was three or four times.”
He added: “If there are issues to be dealt with, then let the police deal with them – don’t take matters into your own hands.”
There was no separate penalty for the criminal damage offence and Bailey was also told to pay £115 victim surcharge and £85 costs.
