Company director, 31, who smacked golf ball but didn't shout 'FORE' avoids jail

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A golfer who failed to shout 'fore' has avoided jail after assaulting a fellow player who criticised his 'golfing etiquette' when a ball nearly hit him in the head.

Lee Heasman, 40, was playing with friends at the £1,025-a-year Tenterden Golf Club in Kent in October 2017 when a ball flew past them as they putted on the 14th hole.

Angry about how no one had shouted the warning word before the ball was hit, he challenged property developer Adam Roffey, who was among the golfers behind.

Accountancy consultant Mr Heasman, who has epilepsy, said company director Roffey quickly became violent as he put his hands around his neck and throttled him.

Mr Heasman immediately walked off to the clubhouse and got his phone out to take photos of Roffey, 31, so he could inform club bosses and police what happened.

Folkestone Magistrates' Court heard how Roffey, of Ashford, then stormed over to Mr Heasman as he took photos and attacked him, causing him to fall over a golf trolley.

The incident - which saw Mr Heasman fall onto a rockery in the club's garden - was caught on the club's CCTV and reported to police, with Roffey arrested for assault.

Speaking today, father-of-two Mr Heasman said: 'The ball came flying out of nowhere and one of the members of my party had words with Mr Roffey about golfing

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