Willington man was attacked outside his home by group seeking revenge

Anthony Oyston drove with three others to the home of the family of his son’s former girlfriend, looking for swift retaliation.

Durham Crown Court was told advance warning was given that they were on their way with a phone call alerting the victims.

Only the male adult and his young son were at home at the time, on August 14, 2022, and they alerted the police of the “impending visit” by Oyston, who was with his son and two unknown accomplices.

(Image: The Northern Echo) Reece Williams, prosecuting, said all four of those arriving at the property in Willington were armed with various implements.

The victim confronted the unwanted visitors and suffered numerous strikes to his back from Oyston, whose son was seen smashing the windows of the car parked outside.

Mr Williams said although the victim tried to pull the defendant to the ground, others in the group continued to rain blows on his arms and body.

His eyes were gouged at one-point and he managed to respond by biting Oyston’s chest, as neighbours emerged to see what the commotion was all about and shouted at the attackers.

They then got back into their car, and a wing mirror was kicked, before the vehicle was driven towards the victim as he jumped out of the way, believing the defendant was trying to hit him.

Mr Williams said when police arrived, after the defendant and his group had left, officers found a jack handle, a boot handle and a metal car alarm at the scene.

The victim suffered factures to the left arm and elbow, plus multiple other injuries to both legs, his right arm and his back.

He underwent hospital treatment and had to have a cast fitted to his left arm.

The damage to the house included smashed front windows, shattered front door window, while the car windows were also put out in the incident.

Mr Williams said the cost of the damage was put at £3,486, while the victim also suffered a loss of earnings due to his injuries.

Oyston was interviewed both the day after the incident and in January last year, but both times made no comment to police questions.

The 45-year-old defendant, of Elder Gardens, Newton Aycliffe, admitted a charge of affray arising from the incident.

The court heard he has no relevant convictions since 1998.

(Image: The Northern Echo) In an impact statement read to the court, the victim’s wife said she was left terrified to be in her own home, frightened that the attackers may return.

She said the incident had a great impact on all the family, on top of the initial cost of replacing the damaged windows and doors, plus the fitting of security cameras.

Amrit Jandoo, in mitigation, said the defendant was, “exceptionally fortunate” to have only been faced with the affray charge.

“How many other offences may have been applied in this case?”

Recorder Nicholas Lumley KC said: “To charge him only with an offence of affray means the court’s powers are limited to an absolute maximum of three years, to which he pleaded guilty.

“It was very bad in terms of an affray.”

Mr Jandoo conceded that it was, “top end”.

The Recorder also asked what caused such a delay in the case and was told by Mr Jandoo that the defendant gave a statement the following day, in August 2022, CCTV footage was then viewed and yet it was only three months ago that he received a court summons.

Recorder Lumley told Oyston: “The fact you pleaded guilty made a huge difference.”

He said he had gone around to the other house, “mob-handed and wreaked havoc.”

See more court stories from The Northern Echo, by clicking here

Shop thief and robber jailed for Durham and Bishop Auckland crimewave

Eldon Lane man elbowed partner in face in Willington after funeral

Newton Aycliffe mourner chased innocent man while holding meat cleaver

Be the first to know with The Northern Echo! 📱💡 Our flash sale brings the latest local happenings directly to you. Take advantage of our exclusive offer of over 30% off an annual subscription. Your community's stories await. #KnowYourCity #SpecialOffer. For details click here

But he said it was now more than two years since Oyston was involved, “in this terrible business”, and, having read the pre-sentence background probation report, he was just able to suspend the 12-month prison sentence for 12 months.

He made the defendant subject of an eight-week 8pm to 6am home curfew and put in place a five-year restraining order, forbidding contact with the victims or going to their property.

Warning the defendant of the consequences of breaching the suspended sentence order in any way, Recorder Lumley told Oyston: “I hope we don’t meet again.”