Violent stepfather took revenge, court hears

Christopher Alan Whiting repeatedly headbutted a man he believed was bullying his stepson, Newbury magistrates heard

A VIOLENT stepfather who believed his stepson was being bullied took bloody revenge in Newbury town centre, West Berkshire Magistrates Court heard.

Burly Christopher Alan Whiting tapped his younger victim on the shoulder just as he left Boots in Newbury's Northbrook Street, then repeatedly headbutted him in the face, said Jo Belsey, prosecuting on Thursday, August 11.

She said the aggrieved, Nathan Tong, was in his early 20s, while Mr Whiting, of Horn Street, Compton, was aged 41 and “substantially bigger” than his victim.

Miss Belsey went on: “There had been issues between the aggrieved and Mr Whiting's son. Mr Tong says that around 10am he was shopping in Boots when he became aware of someone shouting: ‘That's him.' He tried to leave the store but felt a tap on his shoulder. The defendant asked: ‘What are you starting on my son for?' and was right up in his face in an aggressive manner. The aggrieved knew he was about to be hit.”

Mr Whiting then repeatedly headbutted the younger man in the face, each blow causing his nose to bleed more, the court heard.

Miss Belsey said that, as Mr Whiting's forehead smashed into Mr Tong's face, he could hear Mrs Whiting egging her husband on, yelling: “Whack him.”

The court heard that Mr Tong staggered back into the store where staff took him in and called police.

Mr Whiting, whose previous convictions, the court heard, include “serious offences of violence,” admitted assault by beating on July 2 this year.

Mike Davis, defending, said his client's wife had complained to him that her son had been bullied by Mr Tong and added: “She also told him how, when she had confonted Mr Tong herself about this, he had poked his finger into her chest. That is assault - perhaps not a very serious one but assault, nevertheless.”

Mr Davis said that Mrs Whiting had, in fact, tried to stop the attack, rather than encourage it.

He added that Mr Whiting had turned his back on his criminal past and was now proud to be in full time employment and providing for his family.

Mr Whiting was fined £600 with £15 surcharge and ordered to pay £85 costs.