JAILED: Iron bar attacker driven to victim's West Bromwich home by parents

Sam Branigan forced his way into the home of David Smith who he suspected of throwing a brick through his window earlier that night.

A fight broke out in which Mr Smith, aged 24, and a friend were hit over the head with an iron bar. Both victims suffered severe cuts to their heads.

At Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday, Branigan was given two eight year prison terms, to run concurrently, having previously being convicted of two counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm following a trial.

His parents Lee Branigan, aged 47 and Angela Branigan, 41, were jailed for five years and three years respectively for their role in the attack at a hearing in August.

The court was told Sam Branigan was sitting in the back room of his house in Denby Drive, Hateley Heath, West Bromwich, when a brick was thrown through a front window on December 29.

He believed Mr Smith was responsible but Judge Martin Walsh said there was no evidence that had been the case.

Later the same night Angela Branigan drove her husband and son to Mr Smith's home.

Stephen Bailey, defending, said his client had gone to the house to 'talk things through' but then snapped.

He said: "In this case the trigger for Sam Branigan's involvement was a campaign by somebody he believes to be one or more of the people involved in this case of a brick being thrown through his window and general intimidation and aggression.

"What he does say is that he did not intend to go round and immediately assault these men.

"Having got to the house he lost control in the context of everything which had gone before."

The court heard the attack was targeted at Mr Smith but his friend was also hit with the iron bar and knocked unconscious after trying to intervene.

Mr Bailey said his client, who had been a labourer and window fitter, had been growing increasingly upset by attempts to intimidate him as his partner was six weeks away from giving birth.

He added the family had a history of acting violently together.

"One thing that could be said about the Branigan family is that they are very close," he said.

"For example both mother and father and son were involved the year before in a incident where they came to the aid of their son who was being unfairly treated by his landlord.

"Although Sam was involved he was not charged but his mother and father were.

"There is a history of the family coming together and acting violently in support of each other."

Judge Martin Walsh told Branigan: "When I sentenced your father and mother I made it clear the primary responsibility rested with you.

"You were the catalyst against which this attack took place."