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Harvey Spencer Stephens, who played Damien, the son of Satan in ‘The Omen’, may be jailed later today after punching two cyclists in a road rage attack.
Harvey Spencer Stephens, 46, lashed out at the pair after getting out of his car, knocking one man unconscious and damaging the teeth of the other.
He pleaded guilty to two counts of assault and one of causing criminal damage following the attack on Toys Hill, near Westerham, Kent.
Stephens sprang to global fame after starring as Damien Thorn – a young anti-Christ – in the Oscar-winning 1976 film alongside Gregory Peck and Lee Remick.
But his film career was short-lived and after school he went on to work in the City.
The father of two was “red-faced and angry” when he confronted the cyclists on 21 August last year, Maidstone Crown Court heard.
Kieran Brand, prosecuting, said Stephens repeatedly used his horn when riders Mark Richardson and Alex Manley were side-by-side on the road as one overtook the other.
Mr Richardson’s response was to flick his middle finger at Stephens, who then accelerated, overtook the pair and pulled over.
Mr Brand said Stephens, who lives in Kent, punched Mr Richardson, knocking him unconscious before Mr Manley intervened.
Stephens responded by asking Mr Manley: “You want some do you?”
He then punched him twice in the face, causing him to fall on his back with his bicycle still between his legs.
The court heard Stephens held Mr Manley down and punched him six or seven times, inflicting dental injuries and damaging his helmet.
Mr Brand added: “He described the defendant as being in a complete rage and being out of all proportion to what had happened beforehand.”
Mr Richardson was taken to hospital with swelling to his lip and a broken tooth root, the court was told.
Defending, Ben Irwin said Stephens, who had no previous convictions, pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and accepted he “behaved poorly”.
Judge Martin Joy sentenced Stephens to 12 months in prison on Friday, suspended for two years, for assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and two months in prison, suspended for two years, for the criminal damage charge.
Stephens will also have to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and pay compensation of £1,000 to each victim and an extra £120 to Mr Manley for his damaged helmet.
Agencies/Canadajournal
