A man was attacked outside a Borehamwood house in the early hours by the partner and two sons of a woman he was seeing.
The victim, who claimed the relationship was platonic suffered a broken rib as he was kicked and punched on the ground.
St Albans Crown Court heard today (Friday, June 9) the woman’s partner Gary Feathers, 55, had been suffering with mental health problems which had taken its toll on their 20-year relationship.
At one stage last year he was living in a caravan on the driveway of their home in Green Street, Borehamwood.
Prosecutor Philip Sutton, said his partner formed a relationship with a man nearby. He said it was “platonic and conversational”, but she said it was physical.
The relationship became known to Mr Feathers and his step-sons Ethan Stock, 22, and Khai Farrell, 29.
Matters came to a head in the early hours of October 8 last year when the two went off in a car. When she rowed with Feathers.
The victim, who heard the noise and rang the police, was attacked outside the property.
He was punched, held by his hands and forced to the ground where he was punched and repeatedly kicked. He moved into a fetal position to protect himself. Feathers had his hand around his neck, making it hard for him to breath.
The attack ended when the woman told them to stop.
The victim went to hospital that day, but was released. He went to the hospital a second time on October 25 complaining of pain and a shortness of breath and was found to have a fractured 9th rib.
All three defendants, from Green Street Borehamwood, appeared for sentence having pleaded guilt to inflicting grievous bodily harm.
Gareth James, defending, said: “It is always regrettable when there are breakdowns in family relationships. Mr Feathers was suffering from clinical depression. He had been living in the caravan, but had returned to the house in October because of inclement weather.
“His partner had formed a relationship which did not meet with the approval of Mr Feathers or other members of his family. “
He said at some point the victim had been on top of Mr Feathers in the fight and the sons had intervened. “They accept they went too far,” he said.
Judge Francis Sheridan told them: “All three of you behaved disgracefully. You had no right to take the law into your own hands. “
He told Feathers he was “old enough to know better.” He sentenced him to 12 months in prison suspended for 18 months. He must pay the victim £1,000 compensation and complete 160 hours’ unpaid work.
Farrell was given a 10-month sentence suspended for 18 months. He must complete 125 hours unpaid work and pay £750 compensation.
Stock received a nine-month sentence suspended for 18 months. He must pay £600 compensation and complete 110 hours’ unpaid work.
All three must each pay £150 prosecution costs.
The judge told them: “Do the (unpaid) work and get back to the normal life.”
The three thanked the judge as they left the court.
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