AN INGLEWOOD father who had a man woken from his sleep to lure him into the path of a vicious surprise attack has narrowly avoided jail, being handed a suspended sentence for his role in the assault.

Craig Andrew Price, 47 and his 18-year-old son Matthew James Price each pleaded guilty in the Warwick Magistrates Court on Tuesday to one charge of assault occasioning bodily harm and one of common assault.

The court heard Craig Price attended the home of the victim – a man who his son had been in an altercation with the week before – in the late hours of March 10.

Craig Price knocked on the door and asked the victim’s partner to wake the man so he could speak to him and shortly after the two men walked down the stairs under Craig Price’s request to have a chat.

The court heard the victim was talking with Craig Price, when Matthew Price jumped out and punched the man in his eye, causing him to “reel back” and fall over before Matthew Price punched him another 4-5 times in the face.

The victim attempted to fight back during the assault and was then hit about three times in the head region by Craig Price, before being put in a headlock and told “don’t f--- with my family”.

As the two men vacated the property, it was heard Craig Price made threats telling the victim – who had to be taken to hospital for a considerable eye injury – he would be killed if he saw him in the street.

The court heard the fight arose after an altercation the weekend prior, involving Matthew Price and the assault victim, for which both men were issued with public nuisance fines.

Father-of-three Craig Price is no stranger to the judicial system, having previously fronted court for similar offences related to assault, trespass and public nuisance.

In sentencing, Magistrate Anne Thacker scolded Craig Price for his part in the attack, telling him he had failed his son by not taking him home.

Magistrate Thacker also commented on Craig Price’s ability to partake in a physical fight, despite being on a disability pension for a back injury.

“If you can fight you can go back to work, I would have thought,” Magistrate Thacker said.

Craig Price was sentenced to three months jail – wholly suspended – and Matthew Price was issued with a $1000 fine for his involvement.