Armed drunk threatened neighbour in Leicester street with a 'fearsome' machete

A drunken man armed himself with a 'fearsome' machete and threatened his neighbour.

Benjamin Haberfield began shouting and causing a disturbance outside the victim's home, a court heard.

When the neighbour asked him to be quiet he was confronted by the defendant waving the weapon.

Eunice Opare-Addo, prosecuting, told Leicester Crown Court the incident happened in Upperton Road, in the Narborough Road area of the city, at 7.30pm on Saturday August 3.

She said: "The defendant was holding a large machete, which he began banging on a wall and shouting threats.

"He was pointing it at the complainant and saying he was going to get two friends to come and get him.

"The neighbour was scared."

Miss Opare-Addo said: "The police were called and officers entered the defendants (then) nearby address and recovered the machete from under his bed.

"He said his actions were the result of drinking too much alcohol."

What the judge said

Judge Nicholas Dean QC said: "You're only 22 but have already accumulated a bad record of convictions.

"In April this year you appeared at court for matters involving battery and witness intimidation.

"You were given a chance because the court imposed community orders, with rehabilitation activity requirements, and you were told what the consequences would be if you were to offend during the currency of those orders that were due to last until April 2021.

"You re-offended within four months of the orders being imposed by committing this offence.

"What you did in August in Upperton Road was to produce a machete and threaten someone with it; waving it around in a hostile way.

"No doubt it was due to the drink you'd consumed that day.

"But it was a fearsome weapon and it must have been frightening for those at the scene who saw it.

"You paid no heed to the warning you were given in April.

"I am revoking the earlier court orders and will re-sentence you for those matters."

What was said in mitigation

Philip Plant, mitigating, said: "The probation service said he was performing well on the community order until this incident."

Judge Dean said: "Performing well means not committing further offences, although it's not entirely similar to the earlier matters."

Mr Plant said: "The battery and intimidation related to a domestic incident; grabbing his girlfriend's arm and making a threat at a later stage.

"He made full admissions in relation to this matter and has described it as 'a stupid moment.'

"He regrets it.

"He tells me he has subsequently shaken hands with the complainant and indicated remorse.

"He's a relatively young man who's not been to prison before.

"He knows it's a serious offence.

"Can Your Honour extend some mercy to this young man?"

The plea and sentence

Haberfield, now of Station Street, South Wigston, pleaded guilty to making a threat with a bladed or pointed article in a public place.

He was jailed for 10 months for the machete offence and given four months, to run consecutively, for the earlier battery and witness intimidation.