Thug jailed for attack after love rival error

Kevin McDonald snapped after a drinking spree with sweetheart Kelly McCauley, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard yesterday.

The couple had an argument during which he was left with the impression she had been unfaithful with her sister's boyfriend Wayne Pritchard, who was upstairs at the house in Ebenezer Street, West Bromwich in which they were all spending the night, explained prosecutor Mr Rhydian James.

Furious 27-year-old McDonald broke down the door of the room where Mr Pritchard was in bed and brutally attacked him, continued the lawyer.

The victim was left unconscious after being punched five times, repeatedly hurled against a radiator, kicked and stamped on the head on at least 10 occasions in the early hours of February 3, the court was told.

Mr Pritchard, who suffered a displaced fracture of the right eye socket and multiple bruising to his face, head, body and arms, was left with the foot mark of a trainer engrained on his back, the court was told.

He later confessed to detectives: "I honestly thought I was going to die. Now I believe that I will always be looking over my shoulder afraid that I am about to be attacked like this again. I was unable to even leave my own house for some time afterwards."

Mr Bernard Porter, defending, said: "A large amount of alcohol had been consumed before he went back to the address with his girlfriend. There was subsequently an argument between them during which he formed the view that she she had been unfaithful with the injured party and he lost his temper. His recollection of exactly what happened is hazy but his behaviour was reprehensible. It was a rush of blood and loss of control that provided an unpleasant end to an otherwise enjoyable evening."

McDonald from Barlow Road, Wednesbury, who had committed 29 previous offences including affray, was arrested two days later.

He admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent and was sent to prison for three years four months by Recorder Christopher Donnellan QC who told him: "You took it into your mind that some kind of relationship had gone on between your girlfriend and Mr Pritchard.

"You destroyed a door to get at him and left a footprint on his back as the attack continued when he was clearly unconscious. This was an appalling assault on somebody who mercifully suffered injuries from which he can recover. That was through luck and no thanks to you."