Welshpool family escape jail term

14/10/2012 @ 10:08

THREE members of a Welshpool family of travellers escaped prison when they appeared in Mold Crown Court.

They were in court as the result of a feud between travelling families which led to a fight in which one was bitten on the face.

A father and his two sons admitted affray but were given suspended sentences..

David McDonald senior, 48, David McDonald junior, 22, and Jason McDonald, 20, from Chestnut View were involved in a disturbance outside the town’s Tesco store in October last year.

Police were told that the defendants had driven off to a house in Gallowstree where officers arrived to see a fight going on and David McDonald junior had bitten William Luke Owen on the face.

McDonald senior admitted instigating the affray but said he did not cause any injuries. He received a 36 week prison sentence suspended for 18 months and 300 hours unpaid work.

McDonald junior, who admitted punching and biting Mr Owen received a 12 month sentence suspended for 18 months, 300 hours work and a tagged 6.30pm to 6am curfew, until January 10.

Jason McDonald, who admitted shouting encouragement, received 24 weeks, suspended for 18 months and 180 hours of unpaid work.