Masked thugs jailed for iron bar revenge attack
Two hooded raiders who brutally battered a man with an iron bar after smashing their way into his home in the early hours have each been jailed for eight and a half years.
Shane Simmonds launched the terrifying revenge attack on John O'Dwyer mistakenly believing the victim had got him sacked, a judge heard.
The 23-year-old thug struck with his cousin Carlton Campbell, aged 38, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.
The pair had paper bags with eye holes over their heads as they shattered the kitchen window of the target's home in Rangeways Road, Kingswinford at 4.45am on April 19, said Mr Alistair Redford, prosecuting.
Simmonds and Mr O'Dwyer had known each other for 20 years but fell out after the former lost his job and thought the latter had instigated the dismissal, the court heard.
Mr O'Dwyer, his partner and 18-year-old step daughter were asleep when the attackers burst through the smashed window.
He was woken by the breaking glass and rushed into the lounge where Simmonds repeatedly hit him over the head with the metal bar, said Mr Redford.
Campbell joined in when the victim fought back and started kicking Mr O'Dwyer whose screaming partner feared she was about to be raped when followed into the bedroom by Simmonds, the prosecutor said.
The defendant punched her before returning to the lounge where his cousin was still fighting with Mr O'Dwyer who later required treatment for eight head wounds caused by the bar.
The two attackers fled from the heavily bloodstained scene after hearing that the police were on their way, it was said. But the hood of Simmonds was ripped off and he was recognised before the escape.
Simmonds from Bryce Road, Pensnett was arrested later the same day while Campbell of nearby Mullett Street was detained after traces of his blood were found.
Mr Jasvir Mann, defending, said Simmonds had 'fuelled himself' with alcohol and cocaine before launching the raid and now recognised that the victim had not been responsible for his sacking. "He is ordinarily a well behaved, hard working man who has made the biggest error of judgement of his life," he said.
Mr Malcolm Fowler for Campbell, said: "He is an industrious and responsible family man who cannot explain this lapse but knows he has to take responsibility for what he has done."
Both defendants admitted aggravated burglary with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and were sent to prison by Judge Mark Eades who told them: "This was a heinous crime."
