A champion British darts player who whacked his neighbour over the head with a brick during a dispute over his wife’s parking has walked free from court.
Paul Cook, 65, lashed out at pensioner Stephen Leonard in a brutal assault outside his home in Swindon at around 6pm on 22 October last year.
The darts player, who won the News of the World Championship in 1990, was caught on CCTV striking his victim over the head with a brick before landing a single punch.
At Swindon Magistrates’ Court this morning (22 March), Cook, of Caraway Drive, Haydon Wick, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Keith Ballinger, prosecuting, said that the defendant’s wife had reversed her car onto the driveway and kept her lights on. They were shining through into Mr Leonard’s home – which is immediately opposite – and were dazzling him.
Mr Leonard ventured outside to speak to Cook’s wife about her car lights, but Cook appeared and things turned heated. The pair were shouting and swearing at each other during the dispute.
After a few seconds, the defendant returned to his driveway, picked up a grey paving brick and bashed it over his neighbour’s head – despite his wife screaming “Paul, don’t do it”.
The victim immediately fell to the floor, where Cook punched him in the head before being pulled to the ground by Mr Leonard, who in the end, was on top of the defendant.
Several neighbours rushed out of their houses and intervened, breaking up the scuffle.
As a result of the attack, Mr Leonard – who usually walks aided by a stick – suffered cuts and bruises to his head, eye, cheekbone and elbow. His injuries weren’t long-lasting.
Cook was later arrested for the offence and questioned in custody. He told officers that picked up the brick to place it on the wall, but – forgetting it was in his hand – struck Mr Leonard with it instead.
In a victim personal statement, Mr Leonard said he continues to experience pain in his cheek and he often wakes up in the night thinking about the assault.
He added: “I do feel intimidated by him, I’m worried it could happen again.
“I’m scared he may come to the door and I feel unsafe on my own property. I’m very wary of him now because I know what he is capable of.”
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Liz Highams, defending, said her client has had ongoing issues and provocation from his neighbour – who he has known for 30 years – for a long time.
She said Mr Leonard intimidates other neighbours in the street, and on this occasion, he was making threats towards him and his wife.
“He’s reacted and he’s reacted badly”, Ms Highams said.
The court heard how Cook suffers from a heart condition and severe mental health issues, including depression and anxiety.
Probation officer Michelle James said the defendant is not suitable for a lot of punitive elements – including unpaid work and a curfew – due to his illnesses, and recommended a Band D fine.
“ABH is a serious offence, but we understand that there was an element of provocation”, the chief magistrate said as he imposed a £265 fine, £85 prosecution costs and a £34 surcharge.
No compensation was awarded “due to the nature of the relationship” between the pair, and no restraining order was made because it was “not practical” in the circumstances.
