A long-running nasty feud between two men turned violent when one of them suddenly “lost it” and started punching his enemy through the open window of a parked car – knocking a front tooth out. A two-year-old girl was in the back of the helpless victim’s car at the time of the ferocious repeated punching attack and she would have been “distressed” at seeing the “persistent” beating, Hull Crown Court heard.
Danny Gregson, 34, of Greenwood Avenue, north Hull, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm on the man on May 14, 2023. Gareth Henderson-Moore, prosecuting, said that the two men knew each other.
The other man was sitting in his car outside a Cooperative store in 1st Avenue, north Hull, waiting for his partner, who was doing some shopping. His two-year-old daughter was in the back of the car.
Gregson approached him and started punching him through the open window of the car. He tried to force the door open with his foot.
The man was unable to defend himself. Gregson grabbed the car keys from the ignition. The attack stopped only when the man’s partner came out of the shop.
The police were alerted. The victim suffered bruising and a cut lip. A front tooth was knocked out during the “persistent” attack.
Gregson had convictions for four previous offences, including threatening behaviour in 2008, and his most recent conviction was in 2016. Oliver Shipley, mitigating, said that there had been a history between the two men and a long-standing disagreement.
“They have seen each other in a public space and that has ended in an entirely regretful way,” said Mr Shipley. “The defendant takes full responsibility. He is sorry. He has expressed remorse.
“No weapon was used. What started as a verbal dispute did not end that way. He does not present a risk or danger to the public.
“He has acted entirely out of character. There is a lack of any recent or highly relevant convictions.” There were references for him.
At the time, Gregson’s 15-year relationship had ended and he suffered difficulties. “He turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism,” said Mr Shipley. “He recognises now that this was a terrible decision. He remarks himself that he wasn’t thinking straight at the time.
“There has been no repetition in any form of further offending.” A full-time job awaited Gregson, subject to the outcome of the court case. “He has demonstrated an ability to stay out of trouble,” said Mr Shipley.
Recorder Collingwood Thompson KC told Gregson: “You lost it and started punching him through the window of his car when he was parked waiting for his wife to do some shopping. You punched him repeatedly, mainly in the face. He suffered bruising and a cut lip and he lost a tooth as a result of the blows.
“The attack only really stopped when his wife came on the scene and you desisted. It was all in the presence of his two-year-old daughter, which must have been distressing for her. You have expressed your remorse for what you did.”
Gregson was given a 21-month suspended prison sentence and 150 hours’ unpaid work. He was given a five-year restraining order.