Man attacked love rival

8:30am Tuesday 13th May 2008

A man repeatedly punched and bit his ex-girlfriend's partner after the man accused him of beating her.

Monaim Siari, 25, of North Western Avenue, Watford, launched the attack on Daniel Pells on Wednesday, November 7, Dacorum Magistrates Court heard yesterday.

Gemma Tsang and Mr Pells had been out for a meal celebrating a promotion the woman, a tissue donation practitioner, had received that day.

They returned home and shortly after there was a knock on the door of their flat in Peregrine Close, Watford.

Ms Tsang opened it to find Siari standing there saying he had come round to collect some paint brushes and a silicone gun used to decorate the flat.

Her new boyfriend appeared from the toilet and there was a confrontation between the two men.

Mr Pells told the court: "He began shouting through the door to me. I moved to the door and said to him men that hit women are scum'."

Mr Pells said he was punched by Siari. He denied the suggestion by the defence he was angry because Ms Tsang said she had been assaulted by Siari, and that he had thrown the first punch.

Mr Pells said he was "not a physical person" and denied grabbing Siari round the throat, and punching him in the head.

Siari denied assaulting Mr Pells and claimed to be acting in self defence.

However, Ms Tsang told the court how she feared for her partner's safety once Siari launched the unprovoked attack.

The scientist said she had been in a relationship with Siari until about a month before the incident.

Ms Tsang said Daniel Pells joined her at the door and when she went to get the paint brushes, Siari attacked him.

"Daniel turned round to look at me and Monaim punched him in the face," she said.

"He kept punching him. I tried to separate them and there was a lot of blood coming from his mouth. At some point I saw Monaim bite his arm and his hands were around his neck. It looked like he was trying to choke him. He kept hitting him."

Siari was found guilty after the half-day trial. Sentencing was adjourned for an "all options" report, which includes custody at the same court on Thursday, June 5.

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