Newport Samurai sword attacker is sent to prison

Blake Beards intervened in a fight between his brother James and Kevin Wakeley which erupted from a long-running feud between their families, Shrewsbury Crown Court was told.

But as James Beards and Mr Wakeley wrestled on the ground, Blake Beards arrived with an ornamental Samurai sword and slashed Mr Wakeley's back and hand.

Police cars and vans rushed to the scene in Vineyard Road and the force helicopter was seen in the sky above.

Residents in the quiet suburb were told to stay in their homes and keep their doors and windows shut.

Sentencing Blake Beards to three-and-a-half years imprisonment at Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday, Judge Peter Barrie said: "People who are so unwise to keep a weapon like that as a curiosity take a great responsibility not to use it in fighting."

Beards, 30, of Fishers Lock, Newport, had admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possessing an offensive weapon at a previous court hearing.

Mr Charles Hamer, prosecuting, said Mr Wakeley saw James Beards and another man he knew as "Mac" walking on the opposite side of the canal as he was walking home from his sister's house last May.

Insults were traded and Mr Wakeley crossed over to the other side to confront the two men, with a fight breaking out between him and James Beards, the prosecutor told the court.

He added: "There was a struggle. While he (Mr Wakeley) was on the ground he felt something hit him on the back.

"He didn't know what it was, but as he felt this he heard a voice which he recognised as being that of the defendant, Blake Beards.

"Mr Wakeley then felt something hit him on the right hand by his little finger, which caused him some substantial pain.

"The fight then broke up and as Mr Wakeley got up he saw the defendant, some five metres away from him, and said that he had in his hand a dark-handled samurai sword."

Mr Hamer told the court Mr Wakeley suffered a cut to his back and a more serious two-inch gash to his hand which required surgery and forced him to have time off work.

Beards left the scene with his brother and the other man but was arrested by police shortly after, the court heard.

Mr Adrian Roberts, for Beards, said his client had owned the sword for around 15 years.

"Mr Beards didn't go looking for trouble, trouble came to him," Mr Roberts said.

"Mr Wakeley came across a member of Mr Beard's family, there was going to be a fight.

"This defendant decided to try and intimidate and threaten him with this ornamental sword. He knows his behaviour was unacceptable."

Judge Barrie told Beards that taking the sword "into a situation where tempers are flared there is always going to be the risk of someone suffering serious injuries".