South Yorkshire thug jailed over attacks on three men

A thug who assaulted three men has been jailed and given a restraining order to keep away from his victims.
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Sheffield Magistrates’ Court heard on August 17 how Michael Cavanagh, aged 50, of Winchester Court, Eastwood, Rotherham, assaulted one man in what the defendant perceived to be a revenge attack after a previous incident.

Cavanagh also admitted attacking a friend in this victim’s home as well as his friend’s neighbour as they were watching television.

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District Judge Naomi Redhouse told Cavanagh: “What I am dealing with is violence being used against people who have done nothing to deserve that violence.”

A thug has been jailed and given a restraining order at Sheffield Magistrates' Court, pictured, after he assaulted three men.A thug has been jailed and given a restraining order at Sheffield Magistrates' Court, pictured, after he assaulted three men.
A thug has been jailed and given a restraining order at Sheffield Magistrates' Court, pictured, after he assaulted three men.

Mark Hughes, prosecuting, said the first complainant stated that following a previous incident with Cavanagh the defendant punched the driver’s side window of his car while he was driving on Carlisle Street, Rotherham, on February 7.

However, when the complainant returned Cavanagh approached him and threw a punch which he dodged, according to Mr Hughes.

Mr Hughes added Cavanagh also visited this complainant’s home on June 23 and he feared for his family’s safety.

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Clarkson Baptiste, defending, said Cavanagh had initially acted out of a sense of perceived vengeance for something that had happened previously.

Cavanagh pleaded guilty to common assault and to using threatening behaviour.

He also admitted two assaults against a friend and his friend’s neighbour after they had been watching TV together at his friend’s home on August 14.

Mr Hughes said Cavanagh grabbed his friend and pushed him to the floor before repeatedly punching him.

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Cavanagh also assaulted the other man in the room as this complainant had tried to intervene.

The defendant told police he had been drinking all day and his recollection was poor but he may have assaulted two people he considered to be friends.

Mr Baptiste said: “Mr Cavanagh wishes to express his deep remorse for his actions towards people he regards as friends.”

Cavanagh is a former heroin-user who has started binge-drinking and has been taking anti-depressants after losing his job, according to Mr Baptiste.

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District Judge Redhouse sentenced Cavanagh to 24-weeks of custody and imposed a 12-month restraining order.

Cavanagh must pay £30 compensation to the first complainant, £50 to the second, and £40 to the third.