Buxton scaffolding boss punched and kicked colleague over Play Station he claimed was broken

A Buxton scaffolding manager brutally attacked one of his employees when a PlayStation he bought from him broke.
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Karl Lea, 41, became angry when the gadget he bought for £100 stopped working.

He demanded £50 back from the victim, who refused, saying that it was in perfect working order when he sold it.

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Lea then cornered the victim in his work canteen before repeatedly punching him in the head and kicking him.

Karl Lea, who appeared before Chesterfield Magistrates' CourtKarl Lea, who appeared before Chesterfield Magistrates' Court
Karl Lea, who appeared before Chesterfield Magistrates' Court

Both men worked at High Peak Scaffolding in Buxton.

Lea, of Windsor Road, Fairfield, Buxton, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm at Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court.

Becky Allsop, prosecuting, said: “On February 14, the victim sold his PlayStation to this defendant for a sum of £100.

“He said: ‘I checked it and it was in perfect working condition when I sold it.’”

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But after taking it home and using it over the weekend, Lea said that the machine had broken.

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Instead of asking to give the item back, he wanted £50 off his purchase.

Ms Allsop said: “The victim said no, it was working perfectly so he would not return the money.

“He then went back to work. The defendant asked him for a word in the canteen.”

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The victim said in a personal statement: “I thought I was going to be told what my work was that day, but the door was shut behind me.

“He came towards me with a crazy look in his eye and punched me in the head.

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“He kicked me and punched me. I was shouting for him to stop.

“When I could not hear him anymore, I grabbed my bag and stumbled out of the canteen.”

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The victim suffered a cut above his eye which was glued in hospital.

Representing himself in court, Lea said: “I’m just deeply ashamed and I deeply regret my actions.

“It was a spur of the moment thing, and I am very sorry. That’s all I can say.”

Lea was given a 12-month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work.

He must complete 12 rehabilitation days, and pay a total of £275 to the court, including £100 in compensation to the victim.