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A 76-year-old Drybrook man who has previously accused magistrates of being "corrupt criminals" - and has tried to arrest a judge in court - was sentenced to 16 weeks jail suspended for 12 months for assaulting two men.

John Timbrell, of The Stenders, Drybrook, who describes himself as a "freeman of the land", was convicted by Cheltenham Magistrates' Court of the assault of Andrew Reed and Roger Jones by beating on July 8 last year and assaulting Mr Jones on an earlier occasion on June 25.

The offences were in connection with a dispute over land ownership.

Timbrell, who has also accused magistrates of "bug*****g him about" in the past when his hearings were adjourned, was finally sentenced on Wednesday for the three offences that took place last summer.

The Forest of Dean pensioner, wearing nothing but boxer shorts, attacked his neighbours in a dispute over a field known as The Prosser in July last year.

Timbrell, screamed “get off my land” and threatened to use a pitchfork on Mr Jones and Mr Reed.

He told Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court last month that he was justified in striking both men with a baseball bat, as well as repeatedly pushing Mr Jones.

He argued he was merely defending the field from trespassers – despite admitting he does not own the deeds to the land.

Timbrell, who chooses to represent himself, was handed a 12-week custodial sentence suspended for 12 months for the assault on Mr Jones on the July 8 and a further four weeks, suspended for 12 months, for the earlier assault on Mr Jones on June 25, equating to a total of 16 weeks suspended for 12 months.

He was also handed another four-week sentenced suspended for 12 months to run concurrent to his other sentences for the assault on Mr Reed on July 8.

Restraining orders were granted preventing Timbrell making contact with Mr Jones and Mr Reed as well as Nicola Jones and Mary Trigg.

The restraining order also prevents him going to the Prosser Field in the Forest of Dean that was the subject of the land dispute. The restraining order is in place until March 13, 2021.

Timbrell was also ordered to pay compensation of £150 to Mr Jones and £100 to Mr Reed.