A man who violently attacked a love-rival when he confronted him at his business has narrowly avoided jail.
Benjamin Oliver roped in his stepdad, James Howe, to join him when he assaulted his victim in a work cabin at a timber yard.
The 24-year-old was caught on CCTV punching and kicking the man while his stepdad pinned down the father of his intended victim.
Teesside Crown Court heard how Oliver started shouting abuse at his former partner and accused her of having an affair with her boss.
Nicci Horton, prosecuting, said Oliver threatened to ‘stove’ the man’s head in before leaving the site and returning an hour later with Howe.
CCTV footage captured Oliver barge into the cabin before launching himself at the man while Howe held back the victim’s father to stop him interfering with the assault.
“Oliver got out of his van calling the woman a ‘s**g and a prostitute’ and threatened to stove the victim’s head in after accusing them of sleeping together,” she said.
Miss Horton said Oliver had been in an on-off relationship with the woman working at the timber yard at West Auckland.
In the footage, the woman could be heard screaming at Oliver telling him to stop as she tried to intervene in the violent attack where the defendant could be seen to punch the man to the floor before trying to kick him in the head.
Oliver, of Tilley’s Row, Bishop Auckland, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm following the assault on October 30, 2023.
Paul Abrahams, representing Oliver, said his client accepted that his behaviour that day was unacceptable but reminded the judge that he was only 21 at the time.
He said: “It was an appalling level of violence in front of people,” he said. “The level of entitlement he used towards his ex-partner was not attractive.”
And 53-year-old Howe, of Oakley Green, West Auckland, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm and a further charge of battery.
Charlie Thompson, representing the self-employed scrap dealer, said: “He fully accepts this was extremely inappropriate and extremely poor behaviour and he is genuinely remorseful about that.”
Recorder Judy Dawson told the pair the were equally responsible for the level of violence inflicted on the injured victim.
“I have seen the CCTV footage, while this assault was occurring Howe pinned the man to floor to prevent him from assisting his son. The footage shows at least one kick to the head,” she said.
“Mr Howe when you decide to go and join in a joint enterprise assault that means you cannot just hive off the part you played and say that you were less to blame.
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“In these circumstances, I find you equally to blame.”
Oliver was made subject to a six-month electronically tagged curfew between 8pm and 6am while Howe’s order will last for four months after they were sentenced to 20 months in custody suspended for two years.
Both were ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work, attend ten rehabilitation activity requirement days and pay £1,000 each in compensation.
The judge issued a five-year restraining order to protect the victim.
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