Father beaten up in front of baby in Leominster (From Hereford Times)

Cheated husband attacked the "wrong man"

8:00am Friday 28th September 2012 in Leominster

A FATHER was savagely beaten up in front of his baby daughter by a
stranger who wrongly believed he was having an affair with his wife.
 

Paul Carruthers only stopped beating the 33-year-old when witnesses
pulled him away.

Katie Price, prosectuting at Hereford Magistrates Court last week, said it was a “most unfortunate case of mistaken identity”.
 

The court heard that the victim had returned to his home in Rainbow Street,
Leominster, after a night out with his family.

His young baby was alseep in the car when Carruthers walked over and accused him of having an affair with his wife.

“The victim wasn’t given a chance to reply,” said Miss Price.

“The defendant launched a sustained attack. The victim was repeatedly
punched in the head before being dragged across the road.”

One witness told police he saw Carruthers kick the man in the head.

Carruthers, of Upper Hill, Leominster, denied the kick, but pleaded guilty to
common assault.

A charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm was withdrawn against
Carruthers who runs a cafe at open air events and music festivals.
 

In a statement read to the court, the victim said the assault on August 25
left the family “living in fear”.
 

After speaking to neighbours they came to believe Carruthers had been
watching them for days.

Chris Morgan, defending, said Carruthers was “deeply ashamed” and
remorseful.

“His wife had admitted having an affair. He thought the person living
at that house was the man involved.
 

“He now knows it was a case of mistaken identity. But the fact is he assualted someone who was entirely innocent, entirely without blame.”
 

Carruthers was ordered to complete a 12-month community order and 60
hours unpaid work. He was told to pay £150 compensation to the victim and £85 court costs.