Man attacked love rival (From Evesham Journal)

Man attacked love rival

12:40pm Saturday 1st September 2012 in Evesham

A FATHER-OF-TWO “snapped”

after he saw his ex-partner’s new boyfriend at the family home.

Perry Stock grappled with Christopher Gardner at the address in Evesham while his two young children were upstairs, Worcester Magistrates Court was told.

Matt Dodson, prosecuting, said the 39-year-old also grabbed Mr Gardner around the throat and punched him to the face during the assault on August 13. In an interview with police, Stock said he had been in a relationship with Emma Overd for 12 years and left the family home after she had an affair. He told officers he had been getting “mixed messages” from his estranged partner and had seen her the night before the assault.

Stock said he went to see her the next day and when he went into the lounge, he became “immediately angered” when he saw Mr Gardner there. He pleaded guilty to one charge of assault by beating.

Chris Hilton, defending, said his client was not a violent man and character references had been provided which described him as highly regarded, conscientious, hard working and thoughtful to others.

Magistrates sentenced Stock to a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered him to pay £150 compensation to Mr Gardner, as well as pay costs of £85.