A FATHER who attacked several young men with a samurai sword and left one with a broken leg and ankle after hitting him with his van has been spared jail.

Vincent Barton, 48, got into a confrontation with a group of youths after a disagreement outside a house party near his home on St Abbs Drive, Wibsey, in April last year.

He had been on trial at Bradford Crown Court charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent, the possession of an offensive weapon, dangerous driving, and affray.

Barton had denied all the allegations against him, but pleaded guilty yesterday to Section 20 assault and affray.

Not guilty verdicts were recorded for the dangerous driving and weapons charges.

Prosecutor Richard Walters had previously told the jury that on April 22, around 40 youths, aged 15 to 18, had attended a 17th birthday party at a house on the street.

He said Barton, described as being “consumed by rage”, had got into an altercation with a group of youths just after midnight, brandishing the sword and injuring a number of party-goers.

After stones and missiles were thrown at his van, which had its wing mirror pulled off and back windscreen smashed, the court heard that Barton had then got into the vehicle and allegedly driven it at the youths, forcing them to jump clear.

One 16 year-old boy, who was said to have been on the pavement at the time, was hit by the van, leaving him with fractures to his ankle and leg.

Giving evidence to the jury, the victim, now 18, had said: “Everyone tried to run to the side to get away, but I got hit.

“I think I blacked out when it hit me. I woke up on the floor.”

Asked whether he had done anything towards Barton to warrant being targeted, the youth said “no”, but acknowledged that the crowd had been “antagonising” him.

The boy also admitted that he and fellow party-goers had been drinking alcohol while at the party.

When police arrived, Barton was said to have told officers: “I’ve had to get a sword out to this lot, I’ve got a disabled daughter at home.”

The court heard that he had admitted being in the road and using the weapon, but had said that he was doing so to “defend himself and his family.”

In interview, he had told officers he had been in bed when he opened a window to see a group of youths gathered near his van.

He said he had acted in self-defence after having bottles and bricks thrown at him.

He had also denied driving deliberately at the youths, saying that if the vehicle had struck anyone, the collision had been accidental.

Giles Grant, for Barton, a self-employed joiner, described the altercation as an “isolated incident.”

Sentencing him to nine months in prison, Recorder Toby Wynn said the circumstances of the case allowed the jail-term to be suspended for a period of 15 months.

He told Barton: “You confronted young men who were behaving badly, but the consequences of your actions could have been life-changing for them or yourself.

“You then unwisely drove towards them, and the consequences could again have been life-changing or fatal.

“But, I have to take a step back. You have a seriously disabled 16-year-old daughter which must cause you constant distress.

“I am satisfied you were disturbed by the actions of these young men.

“You responded wholly inappropriately, but perhaps understandably.”