Khalid Miah, 36, attacked Richard Lydiard on his doorstep in Cilfynydd, Pontypridd, after accusing him of stealing his broadband box – on Wednesday this week he learnt his fate
A bloke assaulted his neighbour on his own doorstep, knocking out a tooth, after accusing him of nicking his broadband box. The victim now lives in fear, apprehensive about answering his own front door and venturing outside.
Khalid Miah, 36, attacked Richard Lydiard during a neighbourhood spat at the victim’s residence in Cilfynydd, Pontypridd, on 29 December last year. Miah had knocked on Mr Lydiard’s door, accusing him of swiping his broadband box and swapping it with a faulty one.
During a sentencing hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Wednesday, the court heard that Mr Lydiard told Miah he was “not a thief” and instructed him to bugger off. Miah attempted to barge past the victim into his flat, leading to a tussle between the two.
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The court was told that Miah launched a flurry of punches and kicks at Mr Lydiard and tried to “stomp” on his head. Mr Lydiard managed to slam the door shut, and Miah retreated back to his own flat, prosecutor Victoria Maud explained.
The police were summoned and Miah was arrested. During his police interview, he denied the assault, insisting he was acting in self-defence, reports Wales Online.
Miah, from Heol Nant, Cilfynydd, later admitted to assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The court learned of his previous convictions for offences including assault occasioning actual bodily harm, battery and affray.
In a personal statement read out in court by Ms Maud, Mr Lydiard said: “I was completely numbed and shocked at him accusing me of something I haven’t done and attacked me unprovoked.
“I am not a fighter and despise violence and have never been in trouble with the police. The whole situation completely terrified me.
“Every time I hear the door I am scared to answer it and go to the kitchen to look through my window to see who is waiting. I am too scared to go further than the local shops and too nervous to go far and leave my wife home alone.”
In defence, Sol Hartley stated that his client’s offence was “rooted in a delusional belief” that the victim had stolen from him. He mentioned that the defendant had been diagnosed with a depressive condition.
Recorder David Harris sentenced Miah to 13 months behind bars and issued a restraining order against him for five years.
