Kettering plasterer attacked boss with hammer in pay row

A Kettering plasterer attacked his boss with a hammer during a row over how much he was being paid compared to others working for the main contractor on a housing development.

And following the attack on the site in Coventry, Richard Shaw was charged with attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm with intent.

But at Warwick Crown Court on Friday (February 28) his guilty plea to a less serious offence of assault was accepted, and the 26-year-old, who gave his address as Mereway in Barton Seagrave, was jailed for 22 months.

Prosecutor Ian Windridge said that in June last year Shaw was working as a plasterer for Stow Plastering Services which had a sub-contract to undertake plastering work at a development in Marler Road, Canley, Coventry.

As part of his contract there was a prohibition on him taking on work directly with the supervising contractor on the site, a company called CSH.

Mr Windridge said: “However, it seems Mr Shaw had spoken to other people on the site employed by the main contractor and formed the view he could earn more working directly for CSH.”

That led to ‘a heated discussion’ between him and Stow Plastering’s managing director Gavin Bolton, who was also working on the site, during which he accused Mr Bolton of lying to him.

Mr Bolton tried to reason with him, but Shaw would not listen, so he walked away.

He then heard a noise, and as he turned Shaw headbutted him to his nose, causing him to stumble and slip to the ground.

Mr Bolton then saw that Shaw was brandishing a hammer, and as he raised his arm to defend himself he was struck several times to his arm, back and leg.

And as he managed to get back up, Shaw struck him again to his thigh before a security guard rushed over to intervene, and Shaw ran off.

As a result of the attack, Mr Bolton suffered a number of cuts, including one to the top of his nose, said Mr Windridge.

He added that when he was arrested, Shaw claimed he had been acting in self-defence.

Jailing Shaw, Judge Barry Berlin told him: “The reasons behind it don’t matter. It was an utterly appalling and dangerous assault with a weapon.

“I give you full credit for your plea, but I cannot suspend the sentence, it is far too serious for that.”