Man chased around car with a hatchet

Patrick Joseph Ward (32), Garvaghy Park, Portadown, was jailed for a total of seven months for three offences.

For possession of an offensive weapon in a public place on July 12 this year he was sentenced to seven months. Concurrent four months terms were imposed for common assault and disorderly behaviour. He was also ordered to pay a £25 offender’s levy.

The court heard that at 9.40pm police received a call from a female saying the defendant and another male were threatening her and her Romanian partner with a hatchet.

One of the males had the hatchet down his trousers and the Romanian man was chased around a car with the hatchet. The person was followed to a house and two hatchets were seized.

The prosecutor added that the incident took place in full view of terrified children.

When interviewed Ward said he had been asleep on the sofa after taking medication when his brother came in and said there was trouble and he went to see.

Ward added that there were multiple males and females around his brother who chased the Romanian man. It was his brother who pulled the hatchet out.

A barrister representing Ward asked the judge to give his client as much credit as he could. He explained that the defendant had been heavily medicated and appeared on the street bare footed.

He added that Ward shouldn’t have got involved.

The lawyer said that it was accepted racial slurs were made but pointed out that the defendant, a member of the travelling community, had been a victim too, even on the night in question.

Deputy District Judge Brian Archer pointed out that Ward had 114 previous convictions and had a suspended sentence but was not in breach of that sentence.

“Your offending was absolutely disgusting,” he told the defendant.