SWINDON MAN ESCAPES JAIL AFTER PUNCHING GIRLFRIEND'S EX IN VIOLENT ATTACK

A man named Alan Thurgood, aged 37, who has a history of violence, was involved in an incident where he attacked his girlfriend's former boyfriend. The incident happened on the night of Friday, May 20, when the victim, Peter Clements, went to visit his ex-partner Jackie Smythe. The court was told that Clements and Smythe, who have a child together, needed to resolve some matters. Clements was sitting in the living room with Smythe and Thurgood, but felt uncomfortable and decided to leave. As Clements was leaving, Thurgood obstructed his way and punched him. The assault resulted in Clements needing hospital treatment, including eight stitches above his right eyebrow, cuts to his lip and ear, and scratches. Thurgood was arrested and claimed he acted in self-defense because he believed Clements had slapped and pushed Smythe and was going to attack him. Thurgood, residing on Denholme Road, Park South, pled guilty to a charge of actual bodily harm. He has a prior criminal record, including several assault-related offenses that had previously led to imprisonment. The court sentenced him to eight months of jail time, but the sentence was suspended for two years on condition that he completes 200 hours of community service. The judge, Tom Longbotham, stated that he could have sentenced Thurgood to immediate custody but chose not to because he was helping his new girlfriend recover from an accident. The court described Thurgood's behavior as 'indefensible'.