Stourbridge schoolteacher spared prison after pub fight

Mar 28 2009 By Ron Warrilow

A BLACK Country schoolteacher described as a “bully” has been spared time behind bars after he attacked a man in a pub.

Charles McGregor, who was cheating on his wife, flew into a jealous rage because he thought Joseph Conway had been looking at his new girlfriend.

The 55-year-old, who taught maths at Leasowes Community College, in Halesowen, headbutted Mr Conway and punched him several times in the face. Mr Conway had to undergo a scan because it was feared he had suffered brain damage, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told. McGregor, of Park Street, Stourbridge had denied assault causing actual bodily harm but he was convicted at the end of his trial.

Recorder Oscar del Fabbro told McGregor, who was sacked from the College after his arrest: “You are in reality a bully likely to resort to violence if provoked and you are likely to use your head.

“You have the perception that violence is the best way to solve an issue.”

He told McGregor, who has a previous conviction for violence in a pub: “What is troubling is that you do not see your actions as completely uncalled for, unjustified and unacceptable.”

McGregor, he said, had described the vicious beating of Mr Conway as a “bit of an understanding” and went on: “I am totally satisfied this was an unprovoked attack.

“Your behaviour was simply unjustified even if he had touched on a raw nerve about your clandestine relationship.”

He had no qualms about using his head as a weapon, said the Recorder who went on: “You are extremely lucky he did not suffer brain damage as a result of your headbutt.”

The trial was told McGregor, who was convicted of wounding in 2002 when he hit a man over the head with a pool cue in another pub dispute, attacked Mr Conway in the toilets at the Waggon and Horses pub in Kingswinford.