A mechanic caused a "nasty" laceration to a man's head after turning up to his home and attacking him with a metal bar.
Cameron Pendlington carried out the "revenge" attack in the Bearpark area of Durham on April 1, last year. The 21-year-old turned up to the victim's home, accompanied by others, and tried to gain entry after believing the man had damaged a car.
The victim refused to fully open the door, but Pendlington still managed to hit him with the metal bar, causing a cut to the man's head, before fleeing. Pendlington, of Wynyard, Chester-le-Street, appeared at Durham Crown Court on Thursday to be sentenced for assault occasioning actual bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon.
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Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, said: "The defendant went to the home address of the victim with others. The victim was also with other people. A vehicle pulled up and the defendant got out with a metal bar described as being around 18 inches long. He walked up to the front door shouting 'come outside'.
"The defendant and the other males with him were banging on the door and window. The victim opened the door slightly and the defendant tried to barge in. He pushed the metal bar through the gap and made contact with the victim's elbow and head, he then fell backwards as the defendant tried to keep the door open with his foot. The defendant eventually left."
Mr Dodds said that a "nasty laceration" was caused to the man's head and the police were called. However, he was treated at the scene and was not taken to hospital. The court heard that the victim's partner, who was at home at the time, "recognised the defendant".
Richard Herrmann, defending, said Pendlington had no previous convictions and said there was no reason why he could not be put on an electronic curfew. He said Pendlington lives with his parents and was in the process of setting up his own business as a mobile mechanic.
Judge James Adkin, the Recorder of Durham, said it was a "most unpleasant and unnecessary" group attack which was carried out as "essentially revenge" after Pendlington suspected the victim of damaging a woman's car. He was given a 13 month prison sentence, suspended for two years and must pay £500 compensation to the man. A five month electronic curfew was also imposed.
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