Axe-attack thug’s night of terror
■ A man who threatened to smash up an Ashbourne home with an axe as two ‘extremely terrified’ children cowered inside has been jailed. A judge told Lee Morris ‘thank God you were unsuccessful’
AN axe-wielding thug tried to smash his way into a house in Ashbourne, leaving two children in the property “extremely terrified”.
Lee Morris threatened to come round to his male victim’s home following an argument which had ensued across a number of phone calls in May.
His victim initially laughed at Morris’ remarks, but as the final phone call between them had ended, he noticed the defendant was outside holding an axe and with an accomplice.
Derby Crown Court heard how Morris went on to try and smash his way into the house, how he threatened to kill his victim, smashed windows and also threatened a neighbour.
During the hearing, it was revealed that two children were present at the address during the attack and were left feeling “extremely terrified” by what was taking place.
Recorder Adrian Reynolds, who presided over the case, slammed Morris’ actions and handed him an immediate custodial sentence.
He said: “What you did that night was absolutely inexcusable. You went round to this person’s address there was another person with you who has not been apprehended.
“You had an axe with you. It was a sustained attack. In his house were his partner and two young children.
“You swung the axe several times. Thank God you were unsuccessful.
“I have considered very carefully whether I can (adjourn this case for a pre-sentence report with some sort of rehabilitation sentence). I can’t exceed to that.”
The court heard how the incident took place just before 11pm on May 18 in Ashbourne.
Almas Ben-aribia, prosecuting, said: “The victim had known the defendant for two or three years. The defendant rang him claiming that he had disrespected him.
“He made threats to come to the house. The victim laughed at the defendant. He didn’t believe he was going to come round.
“During the final phone call, at the same time he was speaking to the defendant, he could hear smashing outside.”
The court heard how Morris was outside the gate holding an axe. The victim tried to close the gate and Morris kept swinging it at him.
Ms Ben-aribia said the victim was knocked to the floor, but managed to get back to his feet and the defendant continued to swing the axe.
She said: “He managed to get back inside (the house).
“The defendant was using the axe to damage the front door. The defendant said ‘I will kill you and cut you up in front of (the) kids.’
“There were two children, both asleep in bed at the time.
“The victim’s partner soon woke up and tried to reassure them. They were both extremely frightened.”
The court heard how a neighbour of the victim witnessed the incident and that Morris shouted to him “what the **** you doing, are you calling the police?.’
This witness then withdrew. During the hearing, Ms Benaribia read a statement from the victim.
The victim revealed he was left feeling devastated and that he no longer feels safe to live there.
Ms Ben-aribia said Morris was interviewed by police and gave no comment responses. She also said he had 46 convictions for 95 offences.
David Webster, mitigating for Morris, said: “This was disgraceful. He will lose his supporting accommodation if he is given an immediate custodial sentence. It is a real sadness to him for which of stability to settle him down somewhat.
“I ask maybe to adjourn sentence with a view to a suspended sentence order.”
Morris pleaded guilty to affray, having an offensive weapon, namely an axe, and two counts of damaging property. Recorder Reynolds did not impose a suspended sentence, but handed Morris, of Abbey Street, Derby, an immediate 12-month prison sentence. A restraining order was also imposed not to contact the victim or the witness for five years.
You swung the axe several times. Thank God you were unsuccessful.
Recorder Adrian Reynolds