Salvage Hunters star attacked in pub by husband of woman he'd had an affair with
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The star of Salvage Hunters was attacked in a pub by the husband of a woman he'd had an affair with over a text message the reality star had sent to the man's wife.
Drew Pritchard was in the Liverpool Arms pub in Conwy, Wales, when Janus Bryn Thomas “swung out with his left hand in a rage”.
Thomas said he was smirked at by Mr Pritchard.
Mr Pritchard was knocked to the ground, dropping his drink and glasses. Thomas, 47, had to be pulled off the TV personality by other drinkers, reports the Daily Post .
At Llandudno magistrates court today, magistrates heard from defence solicitor Michael Gray that Thomas had been “provoked” by Mr Pritchard, who had had an affair with Thomas’ wife Amanda two years ago.
(Image: Daily Post Wales)
(Image: publicity pic)
The court heard when the affair was broken off, Mr Pritchard contacted Mrs Thomas and said their involvement would be made public.
Mrs Thomas then received messages from what were described as Mr Pritchard’s “other women” blaming her for a breakdown in their relationships with him.
Mrs Thomas then told her husband about the affair and the two agreed to stay together.
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Then, in April this year Mr Pritchard sent Mrs Thomas a text which effectively called Thomas a coward.
The exact contents of the text were shown to magistrates, but not to the press or public.
Mr Gray denied that Thomas, who is managing director of BJW Cranes Ltd, had sought revenge on Mr Pritchard, but said that when he attacked him in the pub on July 8 - three months after the message - the Salvage Hunter had been smirking and belittling him.
(Image: Daily Post Wales)
(Image: publicity pic)
(Image: Daily Post Wales)
The court heard that after the attack - over which Thomas has been banned from every pub in Conwy county - another text message was sent by Mr Pritchard, apparently goading him. Mr Thomas’ solicitor Mr Gray said this had been reported to the police, and that Mr Pritchard had been “tormenting” him.
The Crown Prosecution Service said a “criminal investigation was underway” over the messages, but that it hadn’t been established they were from Mr Pritchard, whose son is best friends with Thomas’ son.
Mr Gray added: “This was extreme provocation in my submission. Try and understand what might have happened in Mr Thomas’ head.
“In the two-and-half years after affair was disclosed he could have sought revenge. He didn’t. With this latest text on his mind, he reacted.
(Image: Daily Post Wales)
(Image: Daily Post Wales)
“It was an isolated incident, it was impulsive. I would say it was provocation.”
He added Thomas was “ashamed” of what had happened, adding “No way on earth he wanted his son, daughter to see him in court. He accepts his wrongdoing, he’s ashamed of himself. He has put everything personal to him in jeopardy.”
Mr Pritchard was left with a sore head, a cut on his elbow and pain in his jaw. He said the attack was “vicious” and had been left wary of going out and had applied for a restraining order against Thomas, who admitted the charges of common assault and threatening behaviour.
Mr Thomas, who was accompanied to court by his wife, was fined £480 for threatening behaviour and £960 for assault.
Magistrates did not grant the restraining order applied for by Mr Pritchard, who did not attend the hearing.