Ex-army rival beat up chip shop boss in row

A chip shop boss was beaten up by a would-be rival trader when a row over plans for a new cafe erupted into violence.

Steve Stone, aged 24, punched Sarabjit More to the ground at the end of a simmering rivalry, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

Animosity between the pair grew after Mr More opposed Stone's bid to open a cafe yards from Sam's Fish Bar in Willenhall.

Council planners eventually rejected Stone's proposal, and Mr More would blow kisses to his rival as he walked past, the court heard.

Father-to-be Stone was today beginning a suspended prison sentence following the attack at the chippy in The Square, New Invention.

Mr David Lees, prosecuting, said Stone and another man had walked past the victim's shop window at around 6pm on October 16 last year.Mr More went to investigate noises he had heard at the back of his shop five minutes later, and found the pair there.

After a brief exchange, Mr More started walking back into his own shop but was then punched from behind, the court was told.Mr More was punched in the head and a bottle was thrown by Stone's friend during the scuffle, hitting the victim above his right eye.

The victim fell to the ground and was punched and kicked to the face, leaving him with lacerations to his eyebrows.Stone, of Rugeley Avenue, Willenhall, admitted actual bodily harm and was given a 36 weeks prison sentence, suspended for two years.

Pauline Bignall, defending Stone, said: "Relations between himself and Mr More have not been friendly. Mr Stone was trying to set up a business down the road.

"It seems after several attempts to open the business, the complainant having made multiple representations to the council, it meant that Mr Stone was unable to set up the business."