Father and son sentenced for ‘cowardly’ attack

A father and son have been sentenced to four and a half years each behind bars for attacking a man they’d never met with a machete and a baseball bat after getting into an argument in the Sainsburys Local store in Cobham in October 2023.

Alfred Chambers 45 (DOB 24/09/1978) and Alfie Chambers 23 (DOB 14/04/2000) of Molesey Close, Cobham were sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on Thursday (7 March), after pleading guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon. Alfred also pleaded guilty to criminal damage.

The court heard how Alfie Chambers went to the Sainsburys Local store in Cobham High Street around 10.40pm on Friday 27 October 2023 and became involved in a verbal argument with another man whom he’d never met. The argument became heated and staff from the store intervened. The two of them left the shop and Alfie then went to his car and produced a baseball bat which he used to threaten the victim.

The victim managed to get away in his vehicle but had to return to the store minutes later after realising he had forgotten his wallet. Nothing could have prepared him for what happened next. As the victim got back into his vehicle and was about to leave the store again, Alfie pulled up alongside him with his father Alfred.

Alfie was armed with a large machete and Alfred was brandishing a metal baseball bat, which he used to smash the victim’s driver side window. The victim escaped from his van and was chased by both men who then launched an unprovoked and prolonged attack on him, repeatedly striking him with their weapons with such force that he fell to the floor on several occasions.

The victim managed to get inside the Sainsburys where the attack continued while he was on the floor trying to protect himself. Alfie and Alfred eventually fled the scene.

Staff from Sainsburys assisted the victim with first aid until officers and colleagues from South East Coast Ambulance (SECAMB) arrived. The victim was taken to hospital with numerous injuries, including multiple cuts and bruises.

Within 24 hours of the investigation being launched, Alfie and Alfred had been identified as being responsible for the attack. As efforts to arrest them intensified, both men went on the run to Devon, but thanks to the continued efforts and assistance from Devon and Cornwall Police, ended up handing themselves in to Staines Police Station on 6 November, where they were both interviewed, charged and remanded into custody.

They pleaded guilty at Guildford Crown Court on Wednesday 13 December 2023 and were both remanded into custody.

During his summing up at sentencing, Recorder Gallagher noted that a fatality could easily have occurred and that he was “not surprised” that the victim told police he could have died when he gave his statement. Recorder Gallagher also said the attack would have involved “an element of planning and organisation” and that it was entirely unprovoked, describing it as “cowardly”.

Detective Constable Daniel Bell, who investigated the case, said: “This was an incredibly violent attack on an unsuspecting victim who had done nothing more than have an argument with Alfie Chambers. The father and son’s response to this verbal altercation was completely disproportionate and it was fortunate the victim’s injuries were not more serious. Thankfully, he has recovered from his injuries although this will have a lasting impact on him in the future.

“This kind of violence has absolutely no place on the streets of Surrey and I hope this sentencing will make others think twice about using violence to mete out revenge.”