A barrister “lost the plot” and attacked his in-laws after they overstayed their welcome at his family home.
Jonathan French shouted that he “couldn’t stand” the couple, ordered “get them out of my house” then branded them “scroungers” before physically lashing out during an explosive tirade against his wife’s shell-shocked elderly parents.
A court heard how the 49-year-old barrister erupted in a “complete rage”, pushing his mother-in-law and causing them both to tumble to the floor. The attack left the mother-in-law nursing a “significant bruise to her bottom”.
When she rang 999, French put his hands over her mouth and face then threw her phone across the room, causing it to smash.
He then turned his aggression on his father-in-law, who he punched in the ribs and bust his lip.
The lawyer, of Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, admitted assault, common assault and criminal damage on the day he was due to be tried.
Newcastle Crown Court was told that French is currently suspended from work but hopes to return to his profession despite a history of offending.
In 2022, he was fined £623 for threatening behaviour towards two police officers who were called to an incident at his £700,000 home. He was also ordered to pay each of the officers’ £100 compensation and £620 prosecution costs, along with a victim surcharge of £62.
The court was told how the in-laws had been staying at French’s plush residence as they had sold their property and were in the process of moving to Portugal, where they now live.
But French snapped after the stay lasted longer than expected, even though they were due to leave within days of his attack.
Judge Robert Adams said French “really lost the plot” when he arrived home from a day at work to find the couple still in his home.
The judge said: “He was heard shouting ‘get them out of my house’, ‘I can’t stand them’, ‘I can’t tolerate them anymore’ and ‘they’re nothing but scroungers’.
“He ran upstairs into their bedroom and began screaming at his father-in-law, telling him to get out immediately.
“The father-in-law had asked to pack his things but was told to leave immediately.”
The court heard French called his mother-in-law a “worthless f***ing b**ch” then again demanded that they leave then threw their suitcases around the room.
Susannah Proctor, mitigating, said French was under an “extreme amount of pressure” at the time, has had counselling and has been in custody on remand.
Judge Adams sentenced French to a conditional discharge for two years.
The judge said he could take the “exceptional course” due to the time French has spent behind bars on remand following his arrest and charge.
