A PONTYPOOL man who left a family fearing for their lives during a midnight “revenge attack” has been jailed.

Gavin Chesterman, 24, was one of a group of six people who turned up at the house of victim David Millett in Talywain at just after midnight on September 3 last year.

Mr Millett and his family were awoken by the sound of banging and heard the group of six outside their house shouting abuse.

Chesterman, who was bare chested and holding a brick, stood outside the house and was described as “bouncing on his toes” shouting: “Can you fight me?”

When Mr Millett went downstairs in his boxer shorts and opened the door, he was greeted by Leigh Thomas, 24, of Church Close, Pontypool, who is in a wheelchair. Thomas punched him, blackening his eye.

Chesterman then threw a brick at Mr Millett which injured his hand.

Mr Millett went inside while his wife phoned the police. They watched through the window as Chesterman then used a baseball bat to smash the windows of Mr Millett’s BMW.

Yesterday Chesterman and Thomas appeared in Cardiff Crown Court for sentencing. Also being sentenced were Nicole Taylor, 23, of Oakfield Road, Cwmbran, and Thomas’ mother, Shannon Thomas, 46, also of Oakfield Road, Cwmbran. They were also in the group.

Taylor was seen holding the baseball bat, while Shannon Thomas gave the group a lift to Mr Millett's house in a seven-seater car.

Chesterman pleaded guilty to affray, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and criminal damage, and was sentenced to 10 months in prison.

Leigh Thomas and his mum, Shannon, who both pleaded guilty to affray, were given 10-month sentences suspended for one year. He was ordered to pay £500 while she must carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

Taylor pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon and received a sentence of four months, suspended for one year, plus 200 hours of unpaid work.

Prosecutor Michael Hammett said the group believed Mr Millett had caused damage to one of their cars, and this was a plan to “exact retribution”.

Since the attack he said Mr Millett and his family had been on “red alert”.

Mr Millett said: “My granddaughter, who is two, has also been affected. She won’t sleep alone and often says there’s monsters outside and comes in crying.”

Judge Richard Williams said: “All of you were involved in an ugly incident which caused significant distress to members of the family. This was planned and this was a group action.”

In mitigation for Chesterman, Jeff Jones said: “He has a good job ethic and a good job record.”

Tracey Lloyd-Nesling said Leigh Thomas acted in self-defence. Shannon Thomas was of clean character and a "hard-working responsible member of society", her barrister said.