Man beats cheating son-in-law
Published: 2013 September 04 13:06:38 (6212 Views)
A man has been jailed for attacking his daughter's husband after he ended their relationship on their honeymoon because he was having an affair.
Stephen Thatcher, 51, went to confront his daughter Sarah's estranged husband after they returned to the UK and found him at a hotel in bed with another woman.
Thatcher then launched a 'frightening' attack on Philip Stow - leaving him bloodied and battered.
He was jailed for one year for assault causing actual bodily harm to Mr Stow at Truro Crown Court last week.
The court heard that Sarah Penhaligon and Mr Stow, who are both in their 20s, wed last September in a £10,000 ceremony at the Atlantic Hotel in Newquay, Cornwall, after a four-year relationship.
The couple then took a belated honeymoon to Mexico in January where Mr Stow told his wife their marriage was over and he was seeing another woman.
Defence barrister Jason Beal told the court the split had a devastating effect on Ms Penhaligon who was admitted to hospital after taking an overdose.
A few days later Thatcher and a group of his friends went to a hotel in Mount Wise, Cornwall, where Mr Stow was living with new lover Stacey Edwards.
Prosecutor Phillip Lee said Thatcher asked for access to the accommodation but the owner refused and warned he would call the police if he made any attempt to go upstairs.
But Thatcher and an unnamed second man ignored the owner and went to Mr Stow's room and dragged him half naked into the hallway where they assaulted him.
Mr Stow, wearing just boxer shorts, managed to escape his attackers by running downstairs. His attackers were heard to say 'this is vengeance' as they left the hotel.
Mr Stow needed hospital treatment for damaged teeth and cuts and bruises to his face.
The next day Thatcher, who owns a guesthouse and 20 rental properties in Newquay, sent his ex-son-in-law a text message which read: 'We love you like a son.
'You have devastated our family but that is no excuse for what happened - sorry.'
'It may be that you say he deserved it, but not in civilized society. You know perfectly well that you went beyond the pale.'
Thatcher was jailed for 12 months for his attack on Mr Stow and two months concurrently for the assault on Miss Edwards.
He was also ordered to pay Mr Stow £2,500 compensation and £600 in court costs.
After the case, jilted bride Ms Penhaligon said her father had acted 'very out of character'.
She said her father was 'a very generous and kindhearted man and a loving husband' who treated Mr Stow like one of the family and had spent £10,500 on their wedding day.
Ms Penhaligon added: 'Mr Stow has got justice but what justice have I got? I can't get a divorce as it is still under a year since we got married. He was cheating on me. We were together for four and a half years.'
But Mr Stow said he would not get closure until the second attacker was caught.
He said: 'There were six people involved. Four stayed downstairs. Two came upstairs. It does feel that the severity of it has been smoothed over.
'They thought I might have a skull fracture. I was lucky that I got away. It has changed my life completely, I am having counselling. I do not feel comfortable walking around the streets.'
Police sergeant Lindsay Anning has released CCTV of the attack and urged anyone with information to come forward.
She said: 'The other man in this frightening, violent assault is still outstanding.' - DM
Stephen Thatcher, 51, went to confront his daughter Sarah's estranged husband after they returned to the UK and found him at a hotel in bed with another woman.
Thatcher then launched a 'frightening' attack on Philip Stow - leaving him bloodied and battered.
He was jailed for one year for assault causing actual bodily harm to Mr Stow at Truro Crown Court last week.
The court heard that Sarah Penhaligon and Mr Stow, who are both in their 20s, wed last September in a £10,000 ceremony at the Atlantic Hotel in Newquay, Cornwall, after a four-year relationship.
The couple then took a belated honeymoon to Mexico in January where Mr Stow told his wife their marriage was over and he was seeing another woman.
Defence barrister Jason Beal told the court the split had a devastating effect on Ms Penhaligon who was admitted to hospital after taking an overdose.
A few days later Thatcher and a group of his friends went to a hotel in Mount Wise, Cornwall, where Mr Stow was living with new lover Stacey Edwards.
Prosecutor Phillip Lee said Thatcher asked for access to the accommodation but the owner refused and warned he would call the police if he made any attempt to go upstairs.
But Thatcher and an unnamed second man ignored the owner and went to Mr Stow's room and dragged him half naked into the hallway where they assaulted him.
Mr Stow, wearing just boxer shorts, managed to escape his attackers by running downstairs. His attackers were heard to say 'this is vengeance' as they left the hotel.
Mr Stow needed hospital treatment for damaged teeth and cuts and bruises to his face.
The next day Thatcher, who owns a guesthouse and 20 rental properties in Newquay, sent his ex-son-in-law a text message which read: 'We love you like a son.
'You have devastated our family but that is no excuse for what happened - sorry.'
'It may be that you say he deserved it, but not in civilized society. You know perfectly well that you went beyond the pale.'
Thatcher was jailed for 12 months for his attack on Mr Stow and two months concurrently for the assault on Miss Edwards.
He was also ordered to pay Mr Stow £2,500 compensation and £600 in court costs.
After the case, jilted bride Ms Penhaligon said her father had acted 'very out of character'.
She said her father was 'a very generous and kindhearted man and a loving husband' who treated Mr Stow like one of the family and had spent £10,500 on their wedding day.
Ms Penhaligon added: 'Mr Stow has got justice but what justice have I got? I can't get a divorce as it is still under a year since we got married. He was cheating on me. We were together for four and a half years.'
But Mr Stow said he would not get closure until the second attacker was caught.
He said: 'There were six people involved. Four stayed downstairs. Two came upstairs. It does feel that the severity of it has been smoothed over.
'They thought I might have a skull fracture. I was lucky that I got away. It has changed my life completely, I am having counselling. I do not feel comfortable walking around the streets.'
Police sergeant Lindsay Anning has released CCTV of the attack and urged anyone with information to come forward.
She said: 'The other man in this frightening, violent assault is still outstanding.' - DM
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