Father and son from Wolverhampton launched 'cowardly revenge attack'
A father and son from Wolverhampton who repeatedly punched their victim in a 'cowardly' attack, have received suspended jail sentences.
Geoffrey Harper and his son Ashley Harper admitted assaulting Gareth Isaacs, who was kicked and punched and left with serious facial injuries.
The court heard that Ashley Harper went up to him and asked him if he was 'big Gareth'.
They then set about him in what witnesses described as a horrible attack on June 17 last year in Welshpool.
Judge Niclas Parry, sitting at Mold Crown Court, said that it was a 'cowardly two against one revenge, unprovoked attack'.
He said members of the public watched as they repeatedly punched him – one witness told how he 'stood no chance'.
The kicking continued while he was on the floor.
They had left nasty and long-lasting injuries, the judge said.
The defendants each received 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work. Judge Parry ordered each of them to pay £500 compensation.
He made a restraining order banning both men from entering Welshpool for the next 12 months.
Geoffrey, 54, of Bushbury, Wolverhampton and Ashley, 28, of North Oak, Wolverhampton, were warned that they could face up to five years in jail for breaching the restraining order.
When arrested Geoffrey Harper said that there had been an incident three weeks previously and added: "He was not so big this time."
The victim's face had been left swollen and covered in blood, he had been unable to talk, he was bleeding from the mouth, and the left side of his chin remained numb.
He had trouble eating for a month afterwards and it had affected his confidence.
Defending barristers Anna Pope and Ffion Tomos said they would not mitigate when the judge indicated the sentence he had in mind.
