A North East man has been jailed for three years after attacking his neighbour with a metal bar in a revenge attack. Mark Wallace, 37, of Quarry Road, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent at Newcastle Crown Court.
Attack followed dispute
The court heard there had been a dispute involving the victim's son, Wallace, his partner and another neighbour, with suggestions that Wallace's windows had been damaged. The victim tried to calm the situation and gave Wallace a cigarette, but Wallace warned: "This is not going to get left."
The following day, October 1 2022, the victim heard shouting outside his home and saw Wallace, who uttered threats. Helen Towers, prosecuting, said: "A good while later the defendant burst through the complainant's front door armed with a metal bar or pole.
"He swung it at the complainant. The defendant swung the bar at his head, causing the complainant to fall. The complainant was curled in a ball and felt stamps and kicks to his head."
Victim's injuries
The victim lost consciousness and the next thing he remembers is speaking to paramedics. His son thought his father had been killed. Miss Towers added that it was a "revenge" attack.
He was taken to hospital and had extensive swelling around his left eye, which he couldn't open, lacerations to his head and ear, and pain to his elbow. When he was released from hospital and returned home, he found possessions had been smashed.
Judge's warning
Recorder Tony Hawks, jailing Wallace, said: "For one reason or another you lost your temper and hit him about the head with a bar. You could have killed him. He was knocked out. Often people in those circumstances end up with a dead body on the ground, so you better think about that the next time you lose your temper."
Wallace, who has 38 previous convictions, replied: "I will your honour." John Crawford, defending, said: "There was some criminal damage done the night before when he was at home with his pregnant partner."
