Armed boyfriend's love rival trap

Wayne Knight used his girlfriend's mobile phone to trap his love rival

A jealous boyfriend ambushed a love rival who sent his girlfriend an explicit text message, and attacked him with a shotgun.

Wayne Knight, 28, from Cwmbran, sent a reply to lure Philip Coombes to an industrial estate then beat him with the weapon, breaking his arm.

Knight was convicted of grievous bodily harm and received a two-year suspended prison sentence.

A judge at Cardiff Crown Court said the attack was "wholly unjustified".

The jury heard how Knight, a father-of-two, was furious after seeing the text message sent by Mr Coombes to his girlfriend's mobile phone, which read: "I want to have sex with you".

He sent a reply, asking him to meet at a quiet car park on an industrial estate.

You were understandably angered...but what you did to cause Mr Coombs a serious injury was wholly unjustified Judge Patrick Curran QC to Wayne Knight

Mr Coombes arrived for the secret rendezvous at 10pm expecting to see Kelly Day, 23.

Instead, he walked into the trap set by Knight, armed with a shotgun.

Prosecutor Michael Mather-Lees said: "Knight was annoyed at the text message which Mr Coombes sent to his girlfriend."

Mr Coombes told the court he had met Miss Day several times at the garage where he worked and they often exchanged text messages.

He said after he was lured to the industrial estate, Knight told him: "I've got something for you".

He added: "Then he pushed the gun into the front of my face, just under my nose.

"I was in fear for my life and tried to make a break for it."

Custodial sentence

The court heard Mr Coombes ran into the path of a passing car and as he lay on the ground Knight began beating him with the shotgun's butt.

He suffered a broken arm and other serious injuries.

Judge Patrick Curran QC sentended Knight to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years.

He told him: "You were understandably angered by the content of the text message which you saw.

"But what you did to cause Mr Coombs a serious injury was wholly unjustified."

He added: "While the offence is so serious that a custodial sentence must be passed I understand you have responsibilities for two young children and you have recently found paid work."

Knight was also ordered to do 150 hours of unpaid work.

The court heard Knight and Ms Day have now split up.