Man 'saw red' and attacked victim with metal bar following months of provocation

Sean Thompson lost his temper when the man damaged property belonging to one of his friends as the simmering feud spilled over into violence in the early hours of the morning.

The 32-year-old picked up the metal bar and went round to the complainant's house to remonstrate with him but the confrontation soon descended into violence, Teesside Crown Court heard.

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Harry Hadfield, prosecuting, said trouble flared at around 12.30am when Thompson stormed round the the victim's house and kicked his garden gate.

The court heard how the incident, which lasted less than a minute, was captured on CCTV outside the victim's home.

Mr Hadfield said the damage caused by the complainant appeared to be the catalyst with Thompson shouting 'you have done that to his car, watch what happens – you're f***ing dead'.

The footage showed a scuffle between the pair before Thompson produced the metal bar and hit the complainant several times.

Sean Thompson

The court heard the victim suffered cuts and bruises while part of his ear was ripped off, requiring ten staples to the wound.

The victim said he suffers from head pain and memory loss as a result of the attack.

Thompson, of Moorcock Close, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to wounding another man with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm on April 26. He also admitted having an offensive weapon, a metal bar, on Moorcock Close, Eston on the same date.

Jonathan Walker, in mitigation, said the father-of-one had been subjected to a catalogue of abuse and intimidation over a protracted period, including threats and abuse directed at his young son, which was the 'provocation' behind his 'overreaction'.

He said: "The defendant lost his rag on this night. He is deeply ashamed of that. A glimpse at the defendant will reveal all that needs to be said about the disgust felt by the defendant himself."

Judge Deborah Sherwin jailed the self-employed building worker for three years and eight months.

"It does seem there has been a significant level of provocation in the months and years leading up to this offence," she said.

"You went round to his house to remonstrate about what had happened. It's a matter of great regret that, and you must be kicking yourself everyday since, that you took the metal bar with you."