Brothers attacked meat delivery man for 20lb of chicken and 13lb of mutton
Three brothers who attacked a delivery driver and stole meat from his van while drunk have avoided a jail sentence.
Richard, Anthony and Paul Woodward were sitting in a bus shelter in Stafford Road, Oxley, when the driver pulled up nearby to make a delivery, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.
He was approached by 43-year-old Anthony Woodward, who accused him of selling 'fake meat', according to prosecutor Mr Howard Searle.
After making the delivery and returning to the van the driver, Mr Shah, became aware of 35-year-old Richard Woodward, who swore at him. He went to drive off but CCTV footage showed he had to stop to lock the van's sliding door after Anthony Woodward had opened it.
All three Woodwards approached the vehicle and stole 20lb of chicken and 13lb of mutton. When the driver confronted them, they pushed and punched him before fleeing the scene.
Mr Shah realised £280 cash was missing from the inside pocket of his jacket after calling the emergency services. The brothers were arrested after police checked CCTV footage and recognised them from previous encounters.
Mr Shah, in a victim impact statement, said he had been 'shocked and saddened' by what had happened and fearful of a potential repetition.
Anthony Woodward owned up to the theft and punching the driver but claimed it had been in retaliation.
Ms Saleema Mahmood, defending, said the former welder suffered from depression, drug abuse and anxiety.
She said Paul Woodward, aged 45, who has a long criminal record for theft and burglary, was also alcohol dependent.
Mr Chris O'Gorman, defending Richard Woodward, who also has a history of shoplifting and violence, said his client had overcome an addiction to Class A drugs but still had a drink problem. The court was told the brothers had not set out to commit the offences.
Anthony Woodward, of Elm Road, Albrighton, along with Richard Woodward, of Lincoln Grove, Bushbury, and Paul Woodward, of Cross Lane, Bushbury, all pleaded guilty to charges of theft and battery.
Recorder Mr Benjamin Nicholls, sentencing all three to four months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, said: "You are all old enough to know better.
"You are just living useless lives, sitting in bus shelters drinking and getting in trouble as a result."
Mr Nicholls said the driver had been 'doing an honest day's work'. He added: "All three of you have alcohol problems and it is obvious you are turning into a bunch of drunken derelicts."
The brothers were also ordered to attend an alcohol rehabilitation programme and pay the driver £80 compensation each.
