Mark Nymeyer needed six weeks off work after assault (From The Northern Echo)

Mark Nymeyer needed six weeks off work after assault

8:35am Saturday 20th March 2010 in

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A FEUD erupted into bloody violence when a dog walker was repeatedly battered with a pole during a confrontation with two men.

Labourer Mark Nymeyer needed six weeks off work to recover from the vicious assault by neighbours Paul Kidney and Mark Palmer.

The 45-year-old suffered four deep gashes to his head and has since had counselling and endured sleepless nights, a court was told.

Kidney, 34, and his stepson, Palmer, 27, avoided prison sentences yesterday after a judge heard of the bitter background to the altercation.

The pair lived in the Half Moon pub in Lazenby, east Cleveland, while Mr Nymeyer lived above the nearby social club, in the High Street.

Teesside Crown Court heard that the efforts of Kidney and his partner to turn around the ailing pub were not to the liking of all locals.

There had also been illfeeling between Kidney and Mr Nymeyer about their respective dogs, Judge Peter Armstrong was told yesterday.

In the early hours of March 26 last year, Mr Nymeyer was walking his dog when he shouted at Kidney to keep his dog away from them.

Kidney was holding an 18- inch pipe – a section of a parasol pole – when Palmer came out of the pub and grappled with Mr Nymeyer.

Nathan Moxon, prosecuting, said Mr Nymeyer feared for his life as Kidney struck him across the head with the pole seven or eight times.

The victim’s partner, Carol, was extremely scared when he stumbled home covered in blood.

Duncan McReddie, for Kidney, said he planned to give up the pub lease and return to his native South Tyneside to start a business.

He said Kidney picked up the pole to separate the dogs, but “went much too far” when Mr Nymeyer was violent towards his stepson.

Mike Bosomworth, for Palmer, said: “Throwing a punch was foolishness on Mr Palmer’s part. He should never have got involved.”

Kidney was given a 12- month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid community work.

He was also ordered to pay £1,250 compensation and £250 costs after he admitted unlawful wounding and possessing an offensive weapon.

Palmer admitted affray and was given a 12-month community order with 80 hours of unpaid work, and told to pay £250 in costs and damages.