A THUG who 'took the law into his own hands' and beat up a man with a broom handle has been spared jail.

Barrington Washbourne, of Orchard Way, Kings Sutton, had already admitted one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Oxford Crown Court heard at his sentencing hearing yesterday how the 35-year old turned up at the Brightwell Garage, Wallingford, together with another man to target their victim who worked there.

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A feud had previously erupted ahead of the violence meted out about midday on March 3.

The two men approached their victim Etan Nash before setting upon him, using weapons including a claw hammer.

The attack was described as 'prolonged' and involved repeated kicking and punching of the victim while customers looked on at the garage.

At one stage the other man wielded a claw hammer while Washboure had a broom handle as part of the attack.

The court heard there had been an element of 'pre-meditation' and taking the law into their owns hands as a result of an earlier row.

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After leaving the scene Washbourne later pleaded guilty to the single offence ahead of his sentencing yesterday.

In mitigation at the hearing his defence barrister Rhianna Fricker called the violence 'impulsive' on her client's part.

Sentencing Judge Ian Pringle QC said: "That sort of behaviour is totally and utterly unacceptable.

"You know what you should have done, rather than get in such a rage. People taking the law into their own hands isn't how to conduct yourself in this society."

Washbourne was handed an eight-month jail term, suspended for two years and he was made subject to a community order.

As part of the order he must carry out 180 hours of unpaid work and 15 days rehabilitation activity requirement.