53-year-old man given suspended prison sentence for hammer attack

A man who impulsively picked up a hammer to intervene in a fight has been given a suspended prison sentence for assault causing actual bodily harm.

The incident took place back in July 2024 near the flats in Keynsham where Stephen Gray was living at the time, but the case only reached Bath Magistrates’ Court in April of this year.

Gray said he had felt the need to intervene after he saw the complainant attacking a teenage boy.

He had picked up the hammer used for DIY and gone out, where he saw the complainant assaulting a female.

He admitted the assault on a “basis of plea”, which enables a defendant to explain his version of events and the extent of culpability accepted.

The Probation Service was asked to prepare a pre-sentence report and the 53-year-old, who now lives at Lower Swainswick in Bath, returned to court for sentencing last Wednesday, 29th July.

District Judge Lynne Matthews handed down a 24-week jail sentence, suspended for 12 months

Gray must abide by a 6pm to 6am curfew with electronic monitoring for three months and complete up to 20 rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) days.

He was also ordered to pay a £156 court surcharge and £85 prosecution costs.