A PENSIONER suffered a broken hip which needed surgery after he was attacked by an employee in a row over travel expenses.

Bryan Crawford attacked 66-year-old Paul Ward and his wife at an entertainment business in Lowesmoor, Worcester. Crawford challenged his employer over being left ‘out of pocket’ travelling from Birmingham to Worcester. Mr Ward had refused to pay him the money, the court heard.

The 52-year-old entertainment runner and former prison officer admitted grievous bodily harm on a reckless basis against Mr Ward and common assault against his wife, Susan Ward, on December 5 last year when he appeared at Worcester Crown Court today.

Paul Whitfield, prosecuting, said Crawford of Stratford Road, Sparkhill, Birmingham, was described as ‘shouting and banging his fist on the table’ before he banged Mr Ward's head against a wall, forcing him to the floor. Mrs Ward intervened, pulling the defendant's hair and Crawford was heard to say: “I’m going to kill all of you and throw all this equipment into the river.”

Crawford gave Mr Ward a ‘forceful push’ with both arms which propelled him into a sink, causing him to fall to the floor again.

“Mr Ward says Mr Crawford attempted to kick him three times while he was on the floor but he managed to fend off the blows with his forearms” said Mr Whitfield. Mr Ward suffered a displaced fracture of the left hip which required surgery using a single screw. Mr Ward described suffering limited movement following the injury and was still on crutches four months later.

Crawford said he was frustrated by a sense of ‘continual avoidance’ of the issue and felt ‘justified’ in challenging Mr Ward. He said the catalyst for his actions were Mrs Ward pulling his hair.

Judge Jim Tindal sentenced Crawford to 12 months in jail suspended for two years. Crawford must complete 150 hours unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation activity days.