2002: JAILED FOR ATTACK ON BOYS
A man with three children who assaulted two schoolboys in the parking lot of a Stourport supermarket where his wife was employed as a manager has been sentenced to 21 months in prison.During the proceedings at Worcester Crown Court, it was revealed that following Michael Vella’s arrest, his wife was dismissed from her role earning £30,000 annually.
Vella, aged 36 and residing on Bullfinch Close in Worcester, was found guilty of attacking two 15-year-old boys, causing them physical injuries, in the Lidl car park situated on Vale Road.
The jury was told that one of the teenagers was threatened with a knife and had his head pushed against a wall, while the other was punched.
This incident put a financial strain on the family, as Vella’s wife Kerry had lost her job after her dismissal and had unsuccessfully appealed the decision.
Kerry has been unable to work since due to injuries sustained in a previous car accident.
Judge Michael Mott commented that Vella, who is described as a family man, undermined his and his wife’s efforts through repeated acts of violence and dishonesty.
He expressed confusion as to why Vella could not control his temper, describing how he grabbed one boy by the jaw, slammed his head against a wall, and assaulted the other.
At the time of the incident, Vella was serving a suspended sentence for another assault related to 'road rage' and was also found in possession of cocaine.
He received a prison sentence of 21 months.
