War hero spared jail after ‘red mist’ battering of pal romping with wife
A FALKLANDS war veteran who battered a friend he caught having sex with his estranged wife has been spared jail after a judge heard what a “professional and calm” character he was normally.
David Henderson, 52, found Louise, 44, in bed with Martin Conboy.
A “red mist” took over the former soldier and he repeatedly punched Mr Conboy, 49, in the face and head, causing injuries needing 23 stitches.
Henderson, who served in the Falklands in 1982 and in Northern Ireland, also took photographs of the naked pair and texted them to Mr Conboy’s wife Sharon after the attack on July 16. David Everett, defending, said Henderson had recently split from his wife and was “suspicious”. He added: “On the night of the incident he had two things on his mind – to see whether she was OK and to see what she was doing.
“He discovered that his wife and somebody who was a close friend of his were having intercourse.
“He didn’t realise who the man was at first. He sat on the bed, and then realised.
“Until then he had been reasonably calm but at that stage the red mist took over and he simply lost his temper. He has been extremely what he’s done.”
Henderson, of Coventry, admitted grievous bodily harm and maliciously sending pictures when he appeared at Warwick Crown Court this week.
He was jailed for 10 months, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work.
Judge Mark Wall, QC, told Henderson: “Rarely have I seen such a strong array of testimonials – they all describe you as professional and calm and measured.
“It is clear regarded and that things badly wrong.” upset by you are highly it is a tragedy went so very