Express & Star

Brother and sister in attack over car crash

A brother and sister who carried out a 'frightening' attack on a man in a dispute over a car crash involving his wife, knocking out the victim's tooth, have avoided an immediate jail sentence.

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Asher and Devinder Swarnn turned up at the doorstep of Harjinder Singh Dhanda's home in Verwood Close in Willenhall and demanded money, a hearing at Wolverhampton Crown Court heard. It followed a crash between vehicles belonging to Miss Swarnn and Mr Dhanda's wife earlier in the month, after which it was agreed Miss Swarnn would pay for damages.

But Mr and Miss Swarnn and her brother returned to speak to Mr Dhanda and, after threatening him, attacked him on January 28 at 11pm.

Mr Swarnn, aged 37, of Wrenbury Drive in Bilston, and Miss Swarnn, 44, of Wellington Road in Bilston, had pleaded guilty to actual bodily harm at an earlier hearing.

The pair were each given a four month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, by Judge Michael Dudley.

Miss Laura Culley, prosecuting, said: "The dispute concerned a previous accident involving the female defendant's car and Mr Dhanda's car and payment of damages.

"Mr Dhanda recalls being asked about this in an aggressive manner, money was demanded and he was threatened.

"Devinder Swarnn took hold of him by his clothing and he was hit two to three times during the altercation.

"Asher Swarnn – she also hit him, punching him two to three times by his left ear."

She added: "It was an unpleasant and frightening incident for complainant and wife."

Mr Dhanda suffered bruising to his throat and behind his ear. He also lost a tooth.

Mr Shiva Misra, defending for Mr Swarnn, said: "Alcohol played a feature. Had he not consumed any alcohol on January 28 he would never have gone round there. He is wanting to put this matter behind him."

Mr Makhan Shoker, defending for Asher, said: "She is ashamed and embarrassed by this. She took bad advice from others involved."

Sentencing the pair, Judge Dudley said: "I am satisfied that neither of you are violent people.

The pair were also ordered to carry out 100 hours each of unpaid work. They must also each pay a victim surcharge of £85.

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