A FLINTSHIRE man has been spared jail after admitting a ‘sustained and frightening attack’ on his employer.

Steven John McDonagh, of Glan Y Don in Greenfield, Holywell appeared before Mold Crown Court via a video link to receive his sentence.

The 44-year-old mechanic was charged with dangerous driving, assault and causing criminal damage – to which he entered guilty pleas.

Nicholas Williams, prosecuting, told the court how on November 20 of last year McDonagh was involved in an incident at DPL Autos on Old Hope Road, Penymynydd.

Leading up to the incident, McDonagh failed to come to work for most of the week saying he was unwell.

McDonagh – who worked at the garage on a casual basis - sent a message to his boss on November 19 asking if he should return to work and his boss told him there was no work available.

On November 20, McDonagh arrived at the garage and drove into the yard erratically claiming to his boss that police officers were following him.

After questioning his agitated state, McDonagh became aggressive towards his boss and began chasing him around the work yard.

McDonagh punched his boss several times across his head and body. A blow to the back of his legs brought McDonagh’s victim to the ground where further punches and kicks were dealt – despite another employee trying to help the victim break free.

A neighbour alerted the police to the incident after McDonagh used his boss’ car to damage his own before getting out to cause further damage to his own and his boss’ vehicle as well as two cars that were being worked on for customers.

Before making his escape, McDonagh’s victim saw him speeding towards him in his car but leapt out of the way into nearby brambles – suffering minor injuries - before seeking safety in a house near the garage owned by the person who called the police for help.

Officers had to negotiate with McDonagh for about 45 minutes before he was arrested.

Gareth Roberts, defence counsel, told the court how McDonagh was a man of previous good character who had no former convictions to his name for violence.

He said McDonagh was suffering from an episode of psychosis at the time of the offence - which was later diagnosed as functioning schizophrenia and is being worked with by the community mental health team.

It is acknowledged that he acted out of character and accepts that he needs this help.

Judge Niclas Parry called the incident a ‘sustained and frightening attack’.

He said: “You chased him around his place of work, you punched him repeatedly to the head and body with forceful blows and you proceeded to kick him repeatedly.

“Even when a fellow employee who was trying to help him, but also you, intervened your attack continued. You were described as having gone berserk and you caused significant criminal damage to several vehicles.”

Adding that it was remarkable no serious injury was caused, Judge Parry continued: “You even resorted to using your own vehicle to drive towards your victim causing him to jump out of the way. He genuinely believed you were going to kill him.”

He said the grave impact this incident had on the victim’s mental wellbeing could not be ignored as it resulted in him closing his business.

The judge acknowledges the fact that McDonagh was also acting out of character due to suffering with his own mental health from a ‘psychotic episode’ of paranoia.

McDonagh – who had been remanded in custody for several months throughout the proceedings - was handed a sentence of 21 months suspended for two years. He was also told that a restraining order was in place to prohibit him from being near or contacting his victim.