Man who went to neighbour’s house with knives spared jail
A MAN who punched a neighbour and then turned up at outside his home with knives has been been spared an immediate jail term.
Duane Brown had attracted the attention of his neighbour Nick Williams on the evening of November 14 last year by setting fireworks off and throwing them into people’s gardens in the Brackla area of Bridgend.
When Mr Williams questioned what Brown was doing, Brown ran at him and punched him in the nose.
By that point Williams realised that he knew Brown and the two had been friends some years ago.
A short time later, after Mr Williams had returned home to call the police, Brown turned up on his driveway armed with a “kung fu” knife in his right hand.
Doorbell CCTV footage shows Brown approach the home at around 9.57pm prompting Mr Williams to ask him what he was doing. Within seconds of Brown approaching Mr Williams had noticed the blade and shouted to his family: “Call police, he’s got a f****** machete.”
Brown then swore and walked away from the home.
Mr Williams personally read a victim impact statement at Cardiff Crown Court during the sentencing hearing for Brown.
“The incident has scarred me for life,” he said.
“Since the assault my mental state has been turned upside down. I can’t sleep. Nothing can take the feeling of dread and anxiety away.”
Brown, aged 36 and of Maes Talcen, Brackla, Bridgend, explained when interviewed by police that on the day of the offence he had been drinking since the afternoon and described himself as “extremely intoxicated”.
He also said that he didn’t want to hurt Mr Williams but that he took the knives with him for protection.
Brown previously pleaded guilty to assault and carrying two training knives in public.
Adam Sharp, mitigating, said that his client “pleaded guilty at the earliest possible opportunity and has expressed genuine remorse”.
He also pointed out that Brown had no previous convictions but in recent years he had suffered with his mental health and been diagnosed with anxiety and ADHD.
Judge Paul Hopkins QC said that the incident had caused “serious alarm and serious distress” to the victim and that Brown’s behaviour posed “a risk of serious disorder in a residential area”.
Brown was sentenced Brown to a total of 10 months’ imprisonment suspended for 18 months.
He was also made the subject of a rehabilitation order for 20 days, an alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement for 90 days, and a three-month curfew.
He must also pay compensation of £500 to the victim as well as court costs of £420 and a victim surcharge of £156.
Judge Hopkins also ordered that the two bladed articles recovered from Brown’s home be destroyed and imposed a restraining order banning Brown from contacting Mr Williams directly or indirectly for a period of five years.