Lucky Friday the 13th for child star who played Damien in the 1970s horror film The Omen as he is spared jail for a road rage attack on cyclists 

  • Harvey Spencer Stephens shot to early stardom after playing the son of the devil
  • The child star, who is now aged 46, assaulted two cyclists near Westerham, Kent
  • He pleaded guilty to two counts of actual bodily harm after breaking one helmet
  • Father of one admitted to a count of criminal damage at Maidstone Crown Court

The former child star of horror film The Omen has been spared jail - on Friday the 13th - after he punched two cyclists in a road rage attack.

Harvey Stephens was just five-years-old when he played the devil-child Damien Thorn in the 1976 cult classic film.

Now aged 46, and no longer an actor, Stephens was driving an Audi RS6 when he lost his temper, jumped out of his car and thumped the two cyclists, smashing one of their helmets.

Stephens, who admitted two offences of assault causing actual bodily harm and one of criminal damage, learned his fate on a date synonymous with superstition and bad luck.

Famous: Harvey Stephens, the child star who played Damien in horror film The Omen (right) arrives at court today (left) after punching two cyclists

The road rage incident occurred near Westerham, Kent, on August 21 last year.

Stephens lost his temper as Mark Richardson overtook Alex Manley. He attacked both men and damaged Mr Manley's £120 cycling helmet. Both were sitting astride their bikes when they were punched.

The court heard Stephens was red-faced, shouting and swearing, and knocked Mr Richardson off his bike and unconscious with a single blow to his jaw.

When Mr Manley attempted to intervene, he was then punched and pushed until he fell back onto a grass bank, still with his cycle between his legs as his feet were strapped into the pedals.

Stephens then held him down and hit him six or seven times. Mr Manley later told police Stephens was in a 'complete rage' and had 'completely lost control'.

The incident only came to a halt when another motorist got involved.

Stephens (pictured centre) starred alongside Gregory Peck and Lee Remick in the 1976 horror smash The Omen which was directed by Richard Donner and produced by Harvey Bernhard

Stephens, a father of two, drove off and when later arrested told police he had reacted in fear when the cyclists became aggressive towards him.

Mr Manley and Mr Richardson both suffered swelling and bruising and need on-going dental treatment.

Imposing a 12-month jail term suspended for two years, Judge Martin Joy said Stephens could not have complained if he had been sent immediately to prison.

'This was undoubtedly a serious case of road rage and quite plainly it was a sustained attack and quite clearly it has got an on-going effect on the victims.

'The location and timing of the offending is an aggravating feature....The probation report states there is a continuing risk in relation to you and your behaviour.'

In the dock: Harvey Spencer Stephens, 46, faces jail after he admitted to punching two cyclists in a road rage attack and will be sentenced today - Friday 13th

Judge Joy also ordered Stephens to pay £1,000 in compensation to each cyclist, as well as £120 to Mr Manley for his damaged helmet which was cracked beyond repair.

Stephens, who lives in Edenbridge, Kent, must also carry out 150 hours of unpaid work, do 10 to 12 sessions of a rehabilitation activity requirement and pay £250 court costs.

The cyclists were riding separately and up an incline at about 3.40pm on the Sunday afternoon when Mr Richardson started to overtake Mr Manley, riding two abreast.

Stephens drove up behind them and began repeatedly beeping his horn and driving aggressively close behind them, Maidstone Crown Court heard today.

Prosecutor Kieran Brand said Mr Richardson continued to overtake but due to concerns for his safety, his desire for Stephens to drop back and to 'convey his annoyance', he gestured by sticking up his middle finger.

Mr Richardson then pulled in front of Mr Manley, with the cyclists continuing in single file. 

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