DAD FETCHED CARVING KNIFE IN PARKING ROW
Man, 38, still denies he had a weapon
ANGRY Gavin Armstrong brandished a knife during an argument about a car parking space.
The 38-year-old was having a heated exchange with the victim when he went into his Fenton home and returned with the weapon.
Magistrates at North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard the confrontation followed an incident which took place a few days earlier between Armstrong’s female neighbour and someone from Armstrong’s household.
On August 10 last year, the neighbour’s ex-partner was speaking to neighbours about the previous incident when Armstrong came to his front door.
Prosecutor Kate Price said: “The injured party said he walked over to Mr Armstrong and said, ‘What happened on Friday night’. Mr Armstrong said, ‘It was nothing to do with me, it was the women fighting’.
“Mr Armstrong said, ‘You don’t know who I am and who you are messing with’. He went back into the house. After five to 10 seconds, he came back out and walked to his gate. He had a carving knife in his hand. He was waving it around.”
The court heard Armstrong then went back inside, and the injured party returned to his ex-partner’s house. She had called police after witnessing the confrontation through the window, along with her young son.
The victim said in a statement: “Nobody has got the right to threaten me with a knife. I feel disbelief this has happened.
“My family could have lost their dad over an argument about a car parking space.”
Armstrong, of Hayfield Crescent, Fenton, was later arrested. He denied a charge of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear of or provoke unlawful violence, but was found guilty following a trial.
Simon Leech, mitigating, said: “Mr Armstrong has lived at this location for 10 years with no problems whatsoever. He has lived a law-abiding lifestyle and has well-paid employment.
“This incident has taken place in the context of a dispute that occurred a few days beforehand, between two people who are not involved in this incident.
“The injured party was investigating this when Mr Armstrong left his house in order to collect his children. Unfortunately, the injured party chose to approach him and the confrontation takes place in Mr Armstrong’s garden.
“He denied he had armed himself with a knife and still denies it. He remained in his own garden during the whole unseemly incident.”
Magistrates handed Armstrong a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. He must complete a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement and pay £778 in court costs and charges.
A restraining order which prohibits Armstrong from contacting the victim or his family for 12 months has also been imposed.