Car mechanic assaults love rival with spanner (From Stroud News and Journal)

Stroud car mechanic assaults love rival with spanner

8:00am Thursday 28th February 2013 in News By SNJ Reporter

A YOUNG mum was assaulted twice in two weeks by her ex-partner when he bumped into her and her new partner by chance.

Samuel Bishop, 25, flared up the first time on Jan 28 last year when he saw former partner Leah Bruton with their children outside Tesco's in Stroud.

A fortnight later he assaulted her again and also hit her new partner with a spanner when they encountered each other in their cars on a roundabout in Cainscross.

At Gloucester Crown Court  on Thursday, Bishop, of Jack Russell Close, Stroud, admitted common assaults on Ms Bruton on January 28 and  February 12, 2012.   He also admitted assaulting Richard Jones causing him actual bodily harm and having a spanner as an offensive weapon.

Judge Jamie Tabor QC sentenced him to 10 months jail suspended for two years. He also ordered him to pay Mr Jones £250 compensation and costs of a further £250.

Bishop, a vehicle breakdown recovery driver, was also subjected to a three months curfew on alternate wekeends from 7pm-2am for three months.

Julian Kesner, prosecuting, had told the court that when Ms Bruton saw Bishop outside Tesco's her new partner took the children away from the confrontation.

She complained to Bishop about things he had been saying regarding access to the children and when he turned to walk away she grabbed hold of him.

"He turned and grabbed her by the neck with both hands, squeezing tightly and moving her from side to side," said Mr Kesner. "She said she was like a rag doll and felt dizzy."

On Feb 12, said Mr Kesner, Mr Jones was driving Leah and her children in Cainscross when Bishop chanced to be at the same location and blocked them on a roundabout.

Bishop had a one foot long spanner in his car and used it in the ensuing confrontation, the prosecutor said.

Mr Kesner said Mr Jones suffered a laceration to the head.

Steve Young, defending, said Bishop now had a new relationship, a baby due in May, and a good job.

Judge Tabor told Bishop he had no excuse for his behaviour.