A Selby family feud erupted into street violence when a pedestrian threw a brick at an approaching car, York Crown Court heard.

Ian Skelt, prosecuting, said that Richard Hastings acted after a car driven by Jeffrey Lowe, 51, with his son Steven Jeffrey Lowe, 30, as passenger, swerved towards him.

The men argued before the car drove off and then drove back towards Mr Hastings, who threw the brick. It bounced off the road on to the car.

The father got out and ran after Mr Hastings shouting words along the lines of "I'm going to f****** kill you", and "come on Steven, get him".

He and his son caught up with Mr Hastings and hit him several times, giving him cuts and bruises.

Gillian Batts, defending the son, said it was the latest in a series of incidents between Mr Hastings and his former friend, Steven Lowe, which had included Mr Hastings throwing his bicycle at the son. Jeffrey Lowe, of Moor End, Kelfield, and Steven Lowe, of Bridge Court, Ness Road, Selby, pleaded guilty to affray.

Nicholas Barker, defending the father, said Mr Hastings twice failed to attend court to give evidence against the Lowes, despite receiving two witness summons, though he did attend on the third occasion.

Judge David Bentley QC said it was clear that the Lowes had not started the latest incident and that Mr Hastings was clearly a "bit troubled" about what had happened.

He ordered the son, who also has convictions for violence, to carry out 150 hours' community punishment and gave the father a two-year conditional discharge. Both men must pay £150 court costs each.

Mr Barker said Jeffrey Lowe had behaved out of character and had no history of violence.

Updated: 12:48 Saturday, January 18, 2003