Son batters mum's friend in Newcastle flat revenege atttack

TWO men have been jailed after forcing their way into a flat and battering their victim in an act of revenge.

Lee Jones, aged 38, and teenager Paul Harper kicked and punched Kevin Owen to leave him needing hospital treatment for life-threatening injuries.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard Mr Owen had been in a relationship with Harper's mother and been cautioned for assaulting her.

The two men attacked Mr Owen after smashing their way into his brother's flat in Newcastle at 9.45pm on August 16.

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Heather Chamberlin, prosecuting, told the court: "There was a knock at the door and Mr Owen looked through the peep-hole and saw the two defendants on the communal landing. He went back in the lounge, shut the door and ignored them.

"However, no sooner had he sat down, there was a bang, they entered the flat and attacked him.

"He was punched and kicked.

"Harper shouted, 'Hit my mum again and I will kill you'.

"Jones said, 'People have been saying I have been burgling houses and it has come from you'."

The court heard the attackers then left the flat.

But they returned within seconds and continued to kick and punch Mr Owen. The defendants then finally left.

Mr Owen suffered two collapsed lungs and severe bruising to his face and back and spent four days at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire, including three days in a high-dependency unit.

In a victim statement Mr Owen said the assault has left him feeling very low, he has had nightmares and does not want to leave his house.

Jones, of Bridge Street, Silverdale, and Harper, aged 18, of Keary Street, Stoke, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm and criminal damage.

Heather Drew, mitigating for Jones, said her client is an alcoholic, who was inebriated at the time.

She said Jones, who was a long-term friend of Mr Owen, had some issue regarding unfounded and incorrect accusations that he had committed burglaries.

But Ms Drew added Jones is disgusted with himself.

Stuart Muldoon, representing Harper, said the teenager, who was 17 at the time of the offence, is a shy, intelligent young man when he has not had a drink.

Recorder Martin Wasik jailed Jones for two-and-a-half years and sentenced Harper to 15 months' detention in a young offenders' institution.

Both have been banned from contacting Mr Owen for two years.

Recorder Wasik said: "This was motivated by what you thought was a justified grudge you had against him, but that cannot possibly defend what you did."