Hammer thug’s fury at drinkers

A MENTALLY ill man brandished a hammer after insulting women he was drinking with.

Aidan Arthur, from Huddersfield, became aggressive with the women before a man intervened and scared him off, Leeds Crown Court heard.

Arthur, 26, who was living in a hotel at the time of incident, was given a one-year community order after pleading guilty to possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and two counts of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour intending to and causing harassment, alarm or distress.

Prosecutor Anna Bond said the incident happened in Clare Hill at about 8pm on November 29 last year.

She said Arthur, another male and three to four women were gathered together drinking when Arthur became aggressive and started to shout at the women.

She said he called the women ‘b ****** ’ and one of them feared he would attack another one.

A resident living on the street came out and spoke to Arthur, who was initially apologetic before walking onto the road and taking a claw hammer out of his bag.

Ms Bond said the women tried to hide in the resident’s property while the man held his ground. Arthur then left the scene and the resident recovered the hammer.

The court was told Arthur has previous convictions, including for offences of being drunk and disorderly in a public place, criminal damage and causing racially aggravated fear or provocation of violence. Aubrey Sampson, mitigating, said his client has mental health issues but his behaviour is improving and will continue to improve. Arthur’s community order included requirements to complete a mental health treatment programme and 10 days of rehabilitation activity.

Arthur initially apologised, but then walked into the road and took a claw hammer out of

his bag