A father armed himself with a hammer and confronted an 11-year-old girl at a children’s birthday party.
Christopher Bridge confessed to “acting shamefully” when he attended the childrens’ celebration to question the young girl about an incident involving his son at a park.
The 32-year-old pleaded guilty to affray and two other charges at Mold Crown Court, where he was handed a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years.
It comes after Bridge, from Green Avenue, Kinmel Bay, Conwy, arrived at a house in Prestatyn at 6pm one evening in April, seeking the 11-year-old girl, the court heard.
Prosecutor Laura Knightly said he suspected the girl, a friend of the homeowner’s daughter, had assaulted his young son.
(Image: Daily Post Wales)
Bridge brandished a hammer and used it on the front door, North Wales Live reports.
People inside the house informed him that there were children present during the incident, which was recorded on a doorbell camera.
Bridge left and was later arrested by police. The prosecutor described how he shook his head as allegations were presented to him in an interview and “appeared to smirk.”
In a victim statement, the homeowner expressed her anxiety about Bridge returning to her property.
(Image: Daily Post Wales)
One woman at the party voiced her concern, saying: “If he can go to a house full of kids with a hammer what else is he capable of?”
Defence barrister Brett Williamson admitted his client’s behaviour was disgraceful and had been “very frightening” for the children present.
He explained: “Mr Bridge discovered that his son had been assaulted by a number of older youngsters in the local park. He has acted out of all sense of reason and proportion when he discovered his son injured.”
Mr Williamson emphasised that whatever occurred in the park does not justify or excuse Bridge’s actions.
The judge, His Honour Niclas Parry, condemned it as “shameful, cowardly and bullying behaviour “seeking vengeance.”
He added: “You went to the family home brandishing a hammer…and despite being told there was a primary school [age] children’s party you tried to grab an 11-year-old child.”
The judge noted the young children would have been terrified. However, he acknowledged this behaviour was out of character for Bridge, who is the sole carer for his son.
The judge also recognised Bridge’s efforts to maintain employment in construction and the losses he has already suffered due to this case. The judge said he would have suspended the sentence if it had been a mother in these circumstances and it shouldn’t be any different for a father.
He ordered Bridge to complete 250 hours of unpaid work, attend 15 days of rehabilitation activity and pay £750 compensation to the homeowner.
He also issued a three-year restraining order, barring the defendant from contacting the homeowner directly or indirectly, mentioning her on social media, or coming within 100 metres of her residence. There were no separate penalties for possession of an offensive weapon in public and criminal damage.
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