Bullying thug gets a prison sentence

A father-of-five from Walsall who bullied family friends into handing over £1,500 because one of their daughters could no longer carry out babysitting duties has been jailed for 18 months.

The "frightened" family paid the money to 20-stone Haydon Coughlin because they feared he would become violent, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

He made a further demand for £580 after complaining the girl had broken ornaments in his home, said Mr Mark Sharman, prosecuting. The two families had been friends for years until this happened, the court heard.

Judge Nicholas Webb told Coughlin: "The picture that emerges of you is a bully prepared to use violence to get his own way."

Coughlin had also deliberately burned the family's daughter with a spoon that had been heated in boiling water, the court heard yesterday.

The 29-year-old, of Staghill Road, Blakenall, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and harassment.

Mr Stephen Cadwaladr, defending, told the court that Coughlin, had considerable health problems and was full of remorse for his actions.

Coughlin was also made the subject of an indefinite restraining order to keep away from the family.