Jail for cricket bat and hockey stick attack family
A father and his sons have been jailed for beating two men unconscious with a cricket bat and hockey stick after a shouting match exploded into violence.
The trouble started when two rowdy families returned from a wedding reception shortly before midnight, a judge heard.
Taxi driver Major Cheema put his head out of a window at his home in Yale Road, Willenhall, and told them to keep quiet, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.
Balraj and Balbir Singh – who had both been drinking – responded with a torrent of abuse and taunted him to come outside to face them if he had anything to say, said prosecutor Mr Stuart Clarkson.
He was not provoked by the goading until more than £1,600 worth of damage had been done to the family’s cars and a house door, it was claimed.
Then the 47-year-old father and his sons Kulvinder, aged 24, and Kharan, 21, burst onto the street armed with a baseball bat, hockey stick and cricket bat.
Balraj Singh was pushed to the ground and hit over the head with the cricket bat by Major Cheema as the other two defendants joined in by kicking the unconscious man, continued Mr Clarkson.
Balbir Singh attempted to protect his relative and was knocked out with a barrage of blows, robbing him of the hearing in one ear which doctors say he is unlikely to fully recover from, revealed the prosecutor.
The other victim suffered cuts and bruises.
Police and ambulance crews were called to the scene and arrested the three attackers.
Mr Gary Bell QC, representing Major Cheema, said the defendant did not respond to until the family's cars and house had been damaged to the tune of £1,673 and added: "He was very foolish and feels ashamed over what happened, especially having his two sons in court with him as convicted defendants."
Mr Niall Skinner, for Kulvinder, maintained: "He was not the driving force behind the offence. They were having a quiet night at home while two adults affected by drink were not bothered by the fuss and noise they made."
Mr Gurdeep Garcha, defending Kharan, conceded: "This was deeply unpleasant violence. Offensive and disgusting language was deliberately chosen to elicit a reaction and sadly they got one."
Judge Peter Barrie declared: "I accept you were provoked by vile insults from people out of control on drink but this was a serious incident."
He said the father took the lead but that did not excuse the behaviour of his sons.
Major Cheema was jailed for two years and his sons were each given 12-month prison sentences.
The trio admitted being involved in violent disorder on July 28 2017.
