A YOUNG thug has narrowly avoided being jailed after attacking a man and his mother in a row over his friend's car.

Dale Kedge punched, kicked and headbutted his victim while he watched television with friends in Church Fenton, chased him in the street and drunkenly yelled "You are a dead man" at him.

And Kedge's father, Paul, then threatened Kevin and Karen Buckthorpe, whose South Milford house he allegedly vowed to burn down, while carrying a crowbar, a cigarette lighter and a bottle of turpentine.

When police came to arrest them, both father and son tried to escape from their Micklefield home before being caught.

Sentencing them at York Crown Court, Recorder Nigel Sangster QC told Dale Kedge, 22 - who admitted two charges of common assault and one charge of criminal damage - "You are lucky not to be going to prison" and accused his 45-year-old father of "absolute stupidity" after he pleaded guilty to affray.

John Edwards, prosecuting, said: "On April 15 last year, Kevin Buckthorpe was at a friend's house in Church Fenton when Dale Kedge came in uninvited with a friend.

"They started punching Mr Buckthorpe about the face - he was headbutted by Dale Kedge and kicked a few times by both men. It was unprovoked."

Mr Buckthorpe suffered injuries to his head and right hand during the attack, and while walking along Station Road in Church Fenton the following day with friends, a Vauxhall Astra stopped alongside them and he heard somebody shout: "There he is!"

"He recognised Dale Kedge's voice and thought there would be trouble ahead, so he ran away and managed to make it to a house on Station Road," said Mr Edwards.

"He slammed and bolted the door behind him, but Dale Kedge caught him up and kicked the door with such force that it broke a pane of glass."

On April 26, Mr Buckthorpe was visiting his mother when they saw Dale Kedge prowling outside.

"He was shouting abuse, saying You are a dead man' and drinking from a bottle of strong lager," said Mr Edwards.

"Mrs Buckthorpe went outside to ask him what was going on, and he was abusive to her and struck her on the head with the bottle. It didn't break and no injuries were caused, but he then poured the contents over her head and ran away."

Moments later, Dale Kedge returned with his "angry, red-faced and aggressive" father Paul, who Mr Edwards said "made the sort of threats indicative of a feud between the families and said I will burn your house down with you in it'.

"Police went to arrest both Kedges the following day and both attempted to make a run for it through the back garden, but stopped when they were challenged."

James Lake, for Dale Kedge, said his client had not realised he had a bottle in his hand when he lashed out at Mrs Buckthorpe.

"This sort of behaviour is not inherent, but there is no excuse," he said.

"He wanted to deal with somebody else's grievance and went about in totally the wrong way, which is perhaps something he appreciates and realises."

The court was also told Paul Kedge denied threatening to burn down Mrs Buckthorpe's home.

Dale Kedge was ordered to do 80 hours' community punishment and pay Kevin Buckthorpe £300 compensation, Selby Council £100 for damaging the door and £1,080 costs. Paul Kedge was fined £300 and told to pay Karen Buckthorpe £300 compensation and £730 costs.