Angry ex-employee threw plate of food over Telford boss in row over 'bad reference'

Peter Newton went to the Hadley Park House Hotel in Telford with his son Thomas to confront Tony O'Keefe, his former boss at Horton Automatics in Hortonwood.

He believed Mr O'Keefe had been giving him bad references that had prevented him from getting another job after he left the firm following almost 14 years service.

The MD of the firm, which makes automatic doors, refused to speak to the pair and told them to leave – but Thomas Newton threw a plate of food at him, Telford Magistrates Court was told.

Mrs Bally Paul, prosecuting, said Mr O'Keefe was left with "food dripping down his face".

The father and son were escorted out of the hotel and a confrontation then took place outside with John Nunn and Richard Traynor, two sales directors at the firm who had been having dinner with Mr O'Keefe.

Mrs Paul said Thomas Newton, who had been drinking, punched both men several times in the head during the altercation on June 2 this year.

Peter Newton, 58, of Radnor Court, Leegomery, Telford, pleaded guilty to three charges of common assault against Tony O'Keefe, Richard Traynor and John Nunn.

Thomas Newton, 24, of the same address, admitted three charges of assault by beating against the same three victims.

A charge of criminal damage relating to Mr O'Keefe's car against both men was dropped after the prosecution offered no evidence.

Peter Newton, representing himself, said: "For 13-and-a-half years I was a trusted and loyal employee.

"I left the company. I have never had trouble getting a job before, but every job I went for after I was turned down because I was being given bad references by Mr O'Keefe's colleague who was not present at the hotel.

"I did go to see O'Keefe because I tried to contact him on numerous occasions to try and find out why he was trying to stop me getting employment.

"I nearly lost my home. I had to sell all my assets.

"There was no intention of anything happening, I just wanted to talk to him. It got out of hand."

Mr Shakeel Ahmed, for Thomas Newton, said: "Tempers flared, he regrets what he did and that is reflected in his guilty pleas."

Peter Newton was sentenced to a conditional discharge for six months. It means if he stays out of trouble during that period, he will escape punishment for the offence.

He was also ordered to pay a total of £170 in court costs.

Thomas Newton was fined £125 and ordered to pay £180 in court costs.

He must also pay £50 compensation to each of the three victims.