A FATHER and son have been jailed for an attack on an ex-police officer outside a Redditch social club after a birthday party.

Grant Mills, aged 48, and his son, 27-year-old Shane Mills, "ambushed" Stuart Baylis as an argument spilled out from Lodge Park Social Club.

Mr Baylis, a 53-year-old ex-police officer and former soldier, had gone to the club for his ex-wife's 50th birthday celebrations on the evening of February 23, 2013. There was an argument and Mr Baylis pulled Shane Mills away and said "that should have been the end of it," Recorder Rachel Brand, QC, said in a sentencing hearing at Worcester Crown Court.

But the father and son, both of Foxlydiate Road, Redditch, and others who have not been identified, waited for him outside when he had no-one with him to help. They caught him off guard by offering to shake hands and then "ambushed" him, she said.

They both pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm at the start of a trial.

Samantha Powis, for Shane Mills, said he had a history of violence but had kept out of trouble for some years and had a partner and two young children.

Charles Hamer, defending Grant Mills said he was a hard-working man who had built up his scaffolding firm and feared it would collapse resulting in a loss of jobs if he went to jail.

The court heard Mr Baylis suffered permanent scarring to his face and had grown a beard because he wanted to cover it up.

Recorder Brand said his injuries could easily have been a lot worse as he was attacked with punches and kicks. She jailed both men for 15 months.