A man has been given a suspended sentence for striking his brother-in-law with a baseball bat after a family celebration.
Leeds Crown Court heard Simon Gray had been out for a meal to a restaurant with other people on March 26 for his birthday and the trouble erupted later after he returned home.
His sister Alison told him of a historic argument between her and her husband David Jack Gunson in which she claimed she had received a black eye.
Bashir Ahmed prosecuting said that angered Gray and he rang his brother-in-law. That led to “an exchange of calls between them” culminating in the complainant arriving at Gray’s front door. Gray punched the other man and a struggle then ensued during which Gray produced a baseball bat and hit Mr Gunson on the head.
When blood began pouring from a wound the ambulance was called and he was helped inside with towels being used to try and stem the bleeding.
He was taken to hospital where he had eight stitches. Mr Ahmed said Mr Gunson had not wanted for Gray to be prosecuted and said he regards him “as a brother.”
Carl Kingsley representing Gray said his sister’s husband denied any incident involving a black eye. “Whatever the truth of it she had told the defendant that was what happened. Everybody had been drinking, he was incensed and made the phone calls leading to the attendance of the complainant.”
Gray, 51 of Whingrove Avenue, Meltham, Holmfirth admitted unlawful wounding and was given an eight month jail sentence suspended for 12 months.
