A wealthy businessman claimed he led a family vigilante attack on his nephew to stop him taking drugs to his £1.1m Footballers’ Wives-style mansion.
Andrew Jones, 30, leapt out of his sky blue Jaguar F-Type convertible and grabbed Patrick Ward in a headlock after spotting him walking down the street in Cheshire on March 5.
His stepdaughter Isabella Gale, 21, and her boyfriend Jacob Toogood, 21, who had been following in her Audi TT to collect a puppy joined in the assault.
Mr Ward later told police he had been attacked after refusing to pay rent for staying at the five-bed Rabbits Nest Cottage which Jones shares with his wife Sonia in Wilmslow.
But Jones claimed he had discovered his nephew had been dealing drugs after giving him a job and was trying to stop him going back to the property from the pub.
He admitted assault, as did Gale and Toogood, and was fined £961 with £469 in costs.
Gale was fined £500 with a £300 costs and Toogood was also fined £500 with £285 in costs.
Angela Blackmore, prosecuting, said: ‘According to Patrick Ward it all started with paying the rent.
‘He said he had paid the last month but did not pay for the following month as he was only staying a couple of days.
‘He said he then got a text from Mr Jones’s wife saying that if he did not pay he would have to clear out the house. He went to the pub but was told his belongings would be left in a suitcase for him to pick up.’
In a statement to police, Mr Ward said: ‘I was going back to the house to collect my property when Andy pulled up in his car, Bella and Jacob then pulled up in their car a few seconds later.
‘Andy got out first and started to fight with me. He didn’t actually punch me but he kept walking at me with a clenched fist as if he was going to punch me. He put me in a headlock and put me on the floor.
‘Just as I got to my feet Bella and Jacob came over and they were punching me.’
‘I have no clue how many times they hit me. It all happened so quickly.’
CCTV played to the court showed Mr Ward walking along the roadside before the blue sports car convertible pulled up.
Jones could be seen confronting him before the other two arrived and Gale charged at him, swinging punches.
At one point, Toogood could also be seen kicking Mr Ward while he was on the ground.
Jones, who was unrepresented, told the court: ‘I never intentionally went looking for Patrick.
‘It was the case that I let my nephew into my home. I gave him a job. I gave him somewhere to live. He took advantage of that by bringing drugs into my house.’
Mr Jones said that he found out his nephew had been drug dealing in Ireland and added: ‘He threatened my family and I told him not to come back to the house.
‘But when we went out to pick up a dog I could see Patrick walking up the road.
‘I was just trying to stop him, not to go to the house. Everybody makes mistakes. I love my nephew and care about him.
‘I am really sorry how it ended up. This was not intended at all.
‘I got into trouble when I was younger but I ended up with my own business. I have built a good life with my wife, and we have done really well.
‘Isabella and Jacob are two young people just starting their life.
‘They have never been in trouble before. They are going to work every day. They stay at home. They do not go drinking. They are just good people.’
Gale wept as she told the court: ‘I am just really sorry. I am so sorry. I have never done anything like this before in my life. I am so sorry to Patrick.’
Toogood said: ‘I feel quite bad for what happened. As he said, it is not in my nature or anyone of us to do that. It is a one-off happening.
‘I do not want that to ever happen again especially to someone we consider as family. It was just an incident that got out of hand. It should never have happened.’
In sentencing, Magistrate Lynn Colter-Howard said: ‘We are not going to award compensation. We are not aware of any reports of injuries and there is a concern that it could aggravate the situation.’
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