A PAINTER decorator’s jealousy erupted into violence in front of customers and staff at B & Q.
Recorder Andrew Smith said Glen Johnson, 43, waited to confront the the man he believed was having an affair with his partner when he saw his van in the DIY store’s car park.
Then he punched the victim, smashed in his front teeth and put him to the ground.
The judge told York Crown Court the complainant denied having an affair with the partner.
He told Johnson: “Your behaviour was completely unacceptable, whatever you thought.
“I accept your explanation, but in no way was there any excuse for you to assault him in the way you did.”
He made a 13-month prison sentence, but suspended it for 12 months on condition Johnson does 16 days’ rehabilitative activities and 200 hours’ unpaid work.
He also made a three-year restraining order banning Johnson from approaching or contacting the victim or going within 100 metres of his home.
Johnson’s barrister Andrew Semple said Johnson had moved out of the York area since the incident last November to avoid encountering the victim again.
Johnson, now of Willow Green, Selby, pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm.
Helen Towers, prosecuting, said the victim was at the store's door about to leave when Johnson shouted at him, accused him of having an affair with his partner and attacked him.
As an eyewitness pulled Johnson off the victim, he kicked him once.
In a personal statement, the victim said: “I find it hard to put into words the pain and hardship this incident has put me and my family through.”
He had been unable to work for a time, had had to have dental work including surgery to his mouth and could yet lose his teeth.
Mr Semple said Johnson had not planned to attack the victim.
“His emotions clearly got the better of him,” he said.
Johnson had believed that the victim had had an affair with his partner, though the woman had denied it.
His business had had major problems because of the pandemic, but was recovering.
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