A KEMPSEY man who ‘took the law into his own hands’ and slapped someone who upset his neighbour has been handed a 12-week curfew.
Philip Holden, of Windmill Lane, went into a convenience store in the village about 8pm on December 30 when an argument ensued between himself and Darryl Gray.
Last Friday (January 16) Worcester Magistrates Court heard how Mr Gray had made allegations about Holden’s neighbour which subsequently led to her being suspended as a care worker.
The 39-year-old approached the 55-year-old victim in the shop and started shouting at him before telling him to follow him outside.
Holden then ran his finger across Mr Gray’s throat and slapped him across the face.
Defending solicitor Kate Oliver said: “When he was arrested near the scene there were numerous comments he accepted making so a clear acceptance of responsibility for the defendant and his actions.
“A few days before this the complainant went to her (the neighbour’s) address and had a verbal argument which resulted in her becoming quite upset and ill.
“So when Mr Holden saw him in the shop the intention was just about that argument and to tell him to stay away from her, but it escalated to a slap of the face, words swapped and a push.”
Holden was given a nine-month community order which included the curfew, to run from 8pm to 6am, along with having to pay court costs of £85 and a £60 victim surcharge.
District Judge Nigel Cadbury said: “This case demonstrates the problem of people taking the law into their own hands.
“You had absolutely no place to get involved in what was going on between two other people when it involved an issue over employment rather than anything else.
“The next time you meet each other he might pick up a plank of wood and whack you over the head with it, that is what can happen when people take the law into their own hand.”
