Dad burst into neighbour’s flat and assaulted him after months of rows
DETECTIVES FOUND BLOOD SPLATTERED ON THE WALLS
A DERBYSHIRE dad who beat up his neighbour after he received what he believed to be threats was spared prison to care for his autistic son.
Christopher Cheetham attacked the victim, who lived opposite him in Woodville, near Swadlincote, in October 2020 after bursting into his flat.
Julia King, prosecuting, told Derby Crown Court that the relationship between the pair grew increasingly sour in the three months prior to the assault.
Following the attack on October 6, which lasted around 10 minutes, Mrs King said the victim was left “dazed, confused, in pain and bleeding”, and when police officers arrived they found blood splattered over the walls inside the flat.
Mrs King said: “At 8am [the victim] heard banging on the front door. He went to the living room, which was further away from the front door, and closed the living room door as he did.
“He heard someone burst into his flat and shout ‘I want you out of here by the end of the day.’ The defendant entered the living room and repeatedly punched [the victim] to the face and head.”
The next day, Cheetham, 52, contacted Derbyshire police himself to say he was wanted, and officers attended his partner’s address where he was arrested. He was found with red and swollen knuckles when officers arrived.
During a police interview, it was revealed that over the course of three months, factory worker Cheetham and the complainant had been embroiled in a feud.
Mrs King said: “Mr Cheetham said that [the victim] had threatened him and told him, ‘when I see you in the street, you are having it.’”
Cheetham admitted to police that he had gone to his neighbour’s flat to challenge him, but claimed self-defence. He later pleaded guilty to one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Darron Whitehead, defending, said that the victim had moved out of his property following the incident and, since then, Cheetham has been described as a “model tenant”.
Mr Whitehead also said that his client has dealt with issues relating to alcohol and drug misuse, and since the time of the assault has reconnected with his son, who has autism and could be negatively affected by his father being sent to prison.
He said: “This was clearly brewing for some time. Mr Cheetham was so concerned about the behaviour of [the victim] that he recorded him on two different occasions in the days leading up to this incident. There were threats of violence, threats of violence by others unknown, name-calling and false accusations made about Mr Cheetham by [the victim].
“I’m not going to provide any excuses about the fight that took place. Both should have known better and both should have behaved better towards each other. Once the issues were removed, the status quo was maintained and all has been peaceful.
“This is an unfortunate chapter in his life. I submit that it is now behind him. He is unlikely to return before this court for similar offending.”
Handing Cheetham a 12-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, Recorder Stuart Sprawson said that the impact that an immediate prison sentence would have on the defendant’s son persuaded him that the jail term could be suspended. He also ordered Cheetham to pay £500 in costs and attend 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
He said: “You burst into that flat in anger. Not for the first time in your life, you used your fists. Anybody with a great deal more maturity and common sense would have dealt with it in another way.
“Your son has autism. He needs help controlling his everyday needs and behaviour. It is described as a positive relationship that you now have and there would be fears for his health and wellbeing if you were deprived of contact.”