Barrister ‘lost the plot’ and attacked his in-laws after their visit overran

A barrister physically attacked his in-laws after they overstayed their welcome and a planned visit overran.

Jonathan French’s in-laws were staying at his home in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, because they’d sold their own home and were in the process of moving to Portugal.

Their visit lasted longer than expected – but the couple were due to leave ‘within days’ when French snapped last March.

While in a ‘complete rage’, French pushed his mother-in-law and they both fell to the floor. When she called 999, he put his hands over her mouth and face and threw her phone across the room, smashing.

French, 49, then attacked his father-in-law, punching him in the ribs and leaving him with a bloody lip.

Judge Robert Adams told Newcastle crown court: ‘He was heard shouting “get them out of my house”, “I can’t stand them”, “I can’t tolerate them anymore” and “they’re nothing but scroungers”.

‘He ran upstairs into their bedroom and began screaming at his father-in-law, telling him to get out immediately.

‘The father-in-law had asked to pack his things but was told to leave immediately.’

French called his mother-in-law a ‘worthless f*****g b***h and again demanded they leave, throwing their suitcases around the room.

Prosecutor Sue Hirst added: ‘He pushed her back onto the bed and they both fell onto the floor. In causing her to fall he caused a significant bruise to her bottom.

‘She grabbed her phone and dialled 999 and began to speak to the operator.’

After he threw his mother-in-law’s phone across the room, he went on to attack his father-in-law.

‘He proceeded to assault his father-in-law, punching him in the ribs and assaulting him, causing an injury to the lip which was bleeding,’ Miss Hirst added.

French, of Coverdale Drive in Knaresborough, admitted  assault, common assault and criminal damage on the day he was due to be tried.

He appeared in court last week where he was sentenced to a two-year conditional discharge.

Judge Adams said he took the ‘exceptional course’ because of the amount of time French has already spent on remand behind bars.

Susannah Proctor, defending, said French was under an ‘extreme amount of pressure’ at the time, has had counselling and has been in custody on remand.

Miss Proctor said French is currently suspended from his profession pending the outcome of the sentence hearing, but hopes to rejoin chambers where he was previously working.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.