THE son of a Wrexham crane company boss attacked a business rival at a wedding last summer, a court has heard.

Grant Richard Jones, 24, of Mosswood Court, denied punching Ian Cross on June 29 last year, but was found guilty after a trial at Wrexham Magistrates Court last week.

The attack took place in a corridor of the wedding venue, Soughton Hall, after Jones and his brother, who both work for their father’s company, had caused Mr Cross to feel uncomfortable and he decided to leave.

Jones was appearing at Mold Magistrates Court for sentencing, where Ceri Ellis-Jones, prosecuting, explained how both he and Mr Cross, the managing director of a rival company, had been guests at the wedding.

She said that during the afternoon, Jones’ brother, who was also a guest at the wedding, had accused Mr Cross of stealing business from his father’s company. Jones, who had only been invited to the evening part of the wedding, joined his brother in a marquee in the hotel grounds.

Later on in the evening, Mr Cross became aware that both he and his brother had been staring over at him and his wife, which left him feeling uncomfortable, so he decided that it would be best if he and his wife left the celebrations early.

Mr Cross made his way out of the marquee while his wife said her goodbyes and while he was walking down a corridor in the venue, was punched to the back of the head by Jones, causing him to fall to the floor. While on the floor, Jones continued to punch Mr Cross and the attack only came to an end when several other wedding guests managed to pull him off the victim, who suffered bruising to his back and stomach in the attack.

In a victim personal statement read out to court, Mr Cross said how he had not been sleeping properly since he was attacked and suffered from anxiety and had become concious of people walking behind him.

He said: “I have never been the victim of an assault before.

“The attack has stopped me going out and socialising, whereas before I had considered myself to be a very sociable person.”

David Matthews, defending, told the court how his client had pleaded not guilty at his trial, on the basis that he was acting in self-defence, but how the bench listening to the case did not agree. He said that Jones, who is married with one child with another on the way, worked very hard for his father’s company and the whole incident had been completely out of character.

The Probation Service said Jones still maintained his innocence, but accepted he had been found guilty and had shown remorse, despite having a differing view on how the events unfolded.

He said how he had drank just one pint that evening as he had been driving and was not one to normally get involved in conflict or confrontation.

Jones was given a 12 month community order, with just one requirement that he complete 100 hours of unpaid work.

He must also pay Mr Cross £200 compensation, court costs of £740 and £90 surcharge.