A former teacher who launched a vicious assault on his neighbour in a row over a drainpipe has been handed a suspended prison sentence.
A violent confrontation over home repairs
Jeff Saward, 66, of Racefield Close, Shorne, Gravesend, kicked his way into his neighbour's property before repeatedly punching him in the head, leaving him covered in blood. The attack, which occurred on May 28, was sparked by the victim's refusal to allow Saward to connect his new guttering to a shared drainpipe.
Medway Magistrates' Court heard that Steven Verge, the victim, did not initially realise who was violently kicking his front door. Upon opening it, Saward forced his way inside without permission, gripped Mr Verge's arm, and pushed him into the hall. The retired teacher, who holds a blue belt in judo, then subjected his neighbour to a sustained two-minute attack.
Sustained attack leaves victim injured and traumatised
The prosecutor, Terry Knox, described how the fracas moved to the living room, where Saward pushed Mr Verge onto a sofa and continued punching him in the head. The victim was left dazed, with blood coming from his ear, a black eye, a bruised cheek, and broken glasses. He was so frightened that he eventually agreed to Saward's demands.
In a victim impact statement read to the court, Mr Verge said he had been shocked by the ferocity of the assault from someone he considered a neighbour. "My home doesn't feel like my home anymore," he stated, revealing he suffers from anxiety and is considering moving after 25 years in the property. He also disclosed a belief that Saward held a black belt in judo, adding to his fear during the incident.
The court was told the dispute was compounded by Saward's mistaken belief that Mr Verge had objected to a planning application for an extension on his home, which had led to previous tensions.
Suspended sentence and restraining order imposed
Saward, who had no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm at the earliest opportunity. His defence barrister, Nadia Samlali, described the incident as a "moment of madness" and an impulsive, spontaneous assault.
However, District Judge Stephen Leake noted that emails from Saward suggested he did not fully accept responsibility and still blamed the victim. The judge described Saward's actions as "utterly inexplicable" and a "vicious assault" carried out in the victim's own home.
Judge Leake sentenced Saward to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years. He warned that any further contact would activate the sentence. The judge emphasised that "an Englishman's home is his castle" and that the offence was so serious it would normally be sent to the Crown Court, but he considered Saward's previous good character.
In addition to the suspended sentence, Saward was ordered to:
- Complete 300 hours of unpaid work.
- Pay £4,000 in compensation to Mr Verge.
- Pay a £187 victim surcharge.
He must settle the financial penalties within 28 days. A restraining order was also issued, banning him from contacting his neighbour or entering his property.
