Father and son battered man on his own doorstep after pub row

The victim was left with a dislocated shoulder and detached retina following the attack in Craven Arms in October last year, Shrewsbury Crown Court was told.

James Roberts, 52, and son Kiah Roberts, 22, of Oak Fields, Craven Arms, both admitted assault causing actual bodily harm.

James Roberts was given a 10-month prison sentence, while his son was handed a suspended jail term.

Mr James Dunstan, prosecuting, said there had been friction beforehand between the victim and James Roberts at the Stokesay pub. It caused the landlord to tell them that he did not want any trouble, the court heard.

Mr Dunstan said the victim decided to go home at 9.30pm. He later heard his doorbell and when he went to the door he saw James Roberts bouncing around with his shirt off and fists clenched.

Mr Dunstan said a witness saw Kiah Roberts throw a punch towards the victim’s head, causing him to stumble. He said James Roberts pushed the victim and he fell backwards, before the pair used their feet as a “weapon” and began kicking him to his upper body and head. The court heard that Kiah Roberts only accepted punching the victim twice and kicking him once.

The victim was taken to the accident and emergency department at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

He had a dislocated shoulder which had to be put back into place. He also had cuts to his face and a detached retina.

Mr Dunstan said that when James Roberts was interviewed by police, he said he had not been looking for a fight. His son said the victim was the aggressor.

Mr Adrian Roberts, representing both defendants, said there had been a degree of provocation. He said Kiah Roberts had no previous convictions.

Judge Peter Barrie told the pair that nothing had happened in the lead up to the assault that could have justified what happened.

He said there had been friction between James Roberts and the victim at the pub, adding: “It’s clear you quite deliberately went to his house looking for a fight to sort it out.”

He told Kiah Roberts: "You've joined into what wasn't really your fight in loyalty to your father. You played a lesser but a significant part."

Judge Barrie gave him a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work and undertake a 20-day rehabilitation activity.

The father and son were given restraining orders, forbidding them to have contact with the victim for the next five years.