A dad was branded a 'pauper' and violently attacked when he challenged a wealthy couple in a bust-up over parenting.
Paul McCormick was assaulted and had his ear bitten by businessman Paul Lloyd in a row over the care of his 11-year-old son during a 'sleepover'.
Mr McCormick's son and Mr Lloyd's son, who were friends from school, were planning to spend the night at the Lloyds' home in Alderley Edge.
But Mr Lloyd, 46, and his wife Sharon, 42, left the boys at their home while they went to the pub, telling the youngsters to call them if there was an emergency.
The boys, who were friends from primary school, were attending separate secondary schools at the time of the sleepover in May.
When Mr McCormick found out his son was not being supervised by an adult, he drove round to collect him - and confronted Mr Lloyd.
Neil Audley, prosecuting, told magistrates in Macclesfield: “Mr McCormick could tell Lloyd had been drinking.
“When he pointed this out, Lloyd turned nasty and confronted him. Lloyd challenged him to a fight and Mr McCormick drove off.”
Mrs Lloyd, who was over the drink drive limit, then drove with her husband in the couple's Bentley Continental car to Mr McCormick's house in Wilmslow where the argument continued on the doorstep.
Mr Audley continued: “Lloyd was at the front door smiling so Mr McCormick assumed he had come to apologise.
“But Lloyd challenged him to a fight again and hauled him out of the door.”
The court heard Mr Lloyd hit Mr McCormick twice in the face and several times on the body and bit his ear.
In a separate hearing into Mrs Lloyd's drink-driving, the court was told how the Lloyds also verbally abused Mr McCormick.
The court heard how Mr Lloyd said to Mr McCormick: “You're nothing, we've got lots and you've got nothin.”
And during the assault Mrs Lloyd shouted: “We know where you live, you paupers.”
Peter Etherall, defending, said Mr Lloyd, who runs a furniture business, had lost control.
“Being called a bad parent and a disgrace triggered a reaction he now deeply regrets,” he added.
Mr Lloyd admitted assault. He was given a 12-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months.
He must complete 300 hours of unpaid work, pay £250 compensation and £370 costs.
He was also given a two-year restraining order preventing him from going near the McCormick family.
Mrs Lloyd admitted drink-driving at the separate hearing and was banned for 18 months.
She was also fined £500 and must pay £385 costs.
menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/new...dad-in-sleepover-row 
