Hartlepool couple spared jail for their part in caravan park attack that left man with broken jaw

The town couple, who joined in an attack on a man in an amusement arcade at the Crimdon Dene Holiday Park, were spared jail by a judge.

The incident on April 20 last year involving Hartlepool pair Joyce Anderson, 33, and Anthony Watt, 32, followed a dispute about someone buying a woman a drink.

Shocked holidaymakers saw the victim suffer a fractured jaw and cuts and bruises as a result of a fight near the slot machines, said prosecutor Rachel Masters.

The centre’s security staff responded quickly and police were soon on the scene to arrest the couple, Teesside Crown Court was told.

CCTV footage played in court showed the melee, but the person believed to have caused the fractured jaw was never traced.

Miss Masters said: “The defendant (Watt) ran towards the victim and punched him which caused him to fall to the floor and that was when Anderson became involved also.”

Watt had 10 previous convictions for 13 offences, including actual bodily harm and affray.

Stephen Constantine, defending, said that Watt had a young family.

Miss Laurie Scott, for Anderson, said that it was the first time she had been in court despite having trouble with alcohol in the past.

Judge Stephen Ashurst told the couple: “I don’t regard either of you as being a danger to the public or of committing further offences.

“There are four children in your household, three of your own and one further child for whom you assume responsibility.”

The couple, of Viola Close, Hartlepool, were both given a 12-month community order to ensure guidance in the future after they pleaded guilty to causing an affray.

Watt was also given 20 days of rehabilitation activity requirements and Anderson 10 days, and both received a two months curfew from 8pm to 6am.

The judge told them: “I want both of you to understand that if you breach the community order then probation will bring you back to court.”