AN enraged boyfriend who turned attacker when he found his lover in bed with another man has been ordered to pay his love rival compensation.

AN enraged boyfriend who turned attacker when he found his lover in bed with another man has been ordered to pay his love rival compensation.

Paul Barnard came home to his Melton flat two days after Valentine's Day to find his girlfriend naked in bed with a man called John Thomson.

The 41-year-old immediately flew into a rage and picked up a baseball bat and struck out at Mr Thomson several times.

He pleaded guilty to assault by beating when he appeared at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court yesterday.

The court heard that Barnard came home to find the lights out in his bedroom on February 16 and quickly realised his girlfriend wasn't alone in bed.

Emma Lister, prosecuting, said Barnard hit Mr Thomson to the back of the head and arm, causing bruising and a lump.

But Mark Holt, mitigating, told the magistrates that Barnard had reacted as many people would when they found their partner cheating on them.

“Mr Barnard had been in a relationship with his girlfriend for a period of two years,” he said.

“In the last six months or so things have been quite difficult between the two but as far as Mr Barnard is concerned the two of them were together.

“In a fit of anger and emotion he swiped out at the male five or so times. He wanted to make the man aware he wasn't happy with the situation.

“I think emotion got the better of him. I don't think Mr Barnard's reaction was untypical of how most people would react in that situation.”

Mr Holt added that Barnard, who is now staying with friends in High Street, Wickham Market, was no longer with his girlfriend.

Magistrate John Horton told Barnard that due to the “special circumstances” of the case his punishment would be limited to £150 in compensation to Mr Thomson and £60 toward prosecution costs.

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