Girl, 2, terror as feuding neighbour punches dad through car window

A "distressed" two-year-old daughter watched on in horror as a her dad was beaten through the window of his car and lost a front tooth, a court heard.

Danny Gregson, 34, from Hull, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm on the man on May 14, 2023.Hull Crown Court was told that the two men knew each other and had a long-running feud but it turned violent when Gregson "lost it" and started punching the other through the open window of a parked car. The victim was sitting in his car outside a Cooperative store in 1st Avenue, north Hull, waiting for his partner, who was doing some shopping, while his young daughter was in the back, when the incident happened.

Gregson approached him and started punching him through the open window of the car, while trying to force the door open with his foot and the other man was unable to defend himself. Gregson also grabbed the car keys from the ignition.

READ MORE: BREAKING: Horror bus crash leaves at least 18 dead as rescue mission mounted

READ MORE: 'World's most jealous woman' has husband take a lie detector test 'every time he comes home'

The attack stopped only when the man's partner came out of the shop and police were called. The victim suffered bruising and a cut lip. A front tooth was knocked out during the "persistent" attack.

Gregson had convictions for four previous offences, including threatening behaviour in 2008, and his most recent conviction was in 2016. Oliver Shipley, mitigating, said that there had been a history between the two men and a long-standing disagreement.

"They have seen each other in a public space and that has ended in an entirely regretful way," said Mr Shipley. "The defendant takes full responsibility. He is sorry. He has expressed remorse.

"No weapon was used. What started as a verbal dispute did not end that way. He does not present a risk or danger to the public. He has acted entirely out of character. There is a lack of any recent or highly relevant convictions." There were references for him.

At the time, Gregson's 15-year relationship had ended and he suffered difficulties. "He turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism," said Mr Shipley. "He recognises now that this was a terrible decision. He remarks himself that he wasn't thinking straight at the time.

"There has been no repetition in any form of further offending." A full-time job awaited Gregson, subject to the outcome of the court case. "He has demonstrated an ability to stay out of trouble," said Mr Shipley.

Recorder Collingwood Thompson KC told Gregson: "You lost it and started punching him through the window of his car when he was parked waiting for his wife to do some shopping. You punched him repeatedly, mainly in the face. He suffered bruising and a cut lip and he lost a tooth as a result of the blows.

"The attack only really stopped when his wife came on the scene and you desisted. It was all in the presence of his two-year-old daughter, which must have been distressing for her. You have expressed your remorse for what you did." Gregson was given a 21-month suspended prison sentence and 150 hours' unpaid work. He was given a five-year restraining order.