Mercy for best man attacker

A newly-married man who attacked his best man and childhood friend for "carrying on" with his wife, has been spared a prison sentence.

Jonathan Scriven had been with 25-year-old Nicola Edwards for nine years but the relationship ended after just two months of married life.

Scriven - a former amateur boxer from Caerphilly - then made a discovery which was to result in a trial at Cardiff Crown Court where he was spared jail for the sake of his two children.

The 27-year-old found out that his wife had begun an affair with Lee Harrison - a man Scriven had been close to since their school days.

In the words of defence counsel Stephen Thomas: "There was emotional turmoil, broken friendship, hurt and pain."

He was beating him with both of his fists... He was looking really mad - fuming. I could see it in his eyes.

Wife Nicola Edwards

And that 'emotional turmoil' exploded during a 'show down' outside Caerphilly nightclub Club 49 when Scriven attacked Mr Harrison, punching and kicking him and breaking his jaw.

Jonathan Austin, prosecuting, told the hearing: "Mr Scriven had been with Nicola for nine years and had two children together.

"When they were married Scriven asked Mr Harrison to be his best man."

But the friendship ended when Scriven found out about his best man's relationship with his wife.

'Deeply unhappy'

Mr Austin added: "Scriven was deeply unhappy at this turn of events.

"Mr Harrison received a phone call from Scriven asking to meet him - he agreed.

"Without warning, Scriven attacked him with a punch to the head which knocked him down."

During the trial in May Mr Harrison had also accused Scriven of slashing his car tyres and of sabotaging clothes hung out to dry on his washing line.

Appearing as a witness during the trial, the woman at the centre of the case gave her account of events.

Mrs Scriven - who now lives with Mr Harrison but insists their relationship did not start until her marriage was over - had arrived in the car with her new partner.

"When Lee walked over Jonathan was punching his fist into his hands," she told the court.

I don't propose to add to the obvious problems confronting the children by sending you to prison.

Judge Philip Davies

"Lee didn't do anything - but then Jonathan punched him. He was beating him with both of his fists.

"After Lee went down Jonathan kicked him to the had about six times.

"With each kick I could see Lee's body go back with the force.

"He was looking really mad - fuming. I could see it in his eyes."

Scriven, from Pen y Fordd in Caerphilly, near Cardiff, was found guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm back in May, having been cleared of an alternative charge of GBH with intent.

Custody warning

Sentencing had been adjourned for reports, but Judge Philip Davies had warned that he could expect a custodial sentence.

But on Tuesday, Judge Davies said he was sparing the defendant a jail term for the sake of his two children.

Sentencing Scriven to 160 hours community service, he told him: "I don't propose to add to the obvious problems confronting the children by sending you to prison."

"If I were to send you to prison immediately the effect and the trauma on those children who are already having to deal with the break-up of their parents relationship would not be in the public interest," he told Scriven.

"I stress you have come extremely close to going to prison. This sort of violence will not be tolerated."