Couple jailed after fight breaks out over cheese 'stolen from communal fridge'

Gary and Michelle Thorpe
Derbyshire Police
Tim Baker17 December 2019
WEST END FINAL

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A couple have been jailed after they attacked a man over complaints of cheese stolen from a shared fridge.

Michelle and Gary Thorpe have been jailed for 16 months for the vicious attack which left the victim with the imprint of a boot on his face.

The incident started when Paul Ryder, 62, was accused by his 34-year-old housemate of stealing some of the dairy product from a shared fridge, according to DerbyshireLive.

Derby Crown Court heard that Ryder - nicknamed “Podge” - called the Thorpes following the disagreement in March 2018.

The couple had been drinking when they arrived at the address in Matlock, near the Peak District.

The pair couple were jailed at Derby Crown Court
Rui Vieira/PA Archive

They were let in by Ryder before launching an assault on the 34-year-old.

The jury heard that Mr Thorpe, 47, and the victim were fighting when Mrs Thorpe, 41, waded in and stamped on the man’s face.

He managed to run away and jump out of a window before seeking refuge at a neighbours, where the emergency services were called.

The victim had a 4cm cut below one eye and suffered extensive bruising across his whole body.

Ryder’s lawyer said his client was shocked by the level of violence used by the Thorpes, who live 10 miles away from the scene in Chesterfield.

Judge Shaun Smith QC handed down 16 month jail sentence to Ryder, suspended for 23 months. All three were convicted on charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

There were no charges relating to theft.

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