Albrighton man avoids jail after armed threats

A man who went to an address in Albrighton making threats and armed with a sledgehammer has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Joseph Pearson also injured a woman at the address in Charles Avenue as she attempted to get the weapon off him, Shrewsbury Crown Court heard.

Mr Robert Edwards, prosecuting, said the 29-year-old knew the Harris family who lived at the address and had been out for a drink with Tom Harris prior to the incident on June 10 last year.

While the pair were out drinking together, Pearson took off his watch to show Mr Harris.

Mr Edwards said while Pearson was walking home he realised his watch was missing and assumed Mr Harris had taken it.

The court was told that he text Mr Harris' mother, Julia Harris, making threats to kill her son.

Mr Edwards said he went to the Harris' home "angry", "drunk" and was armed with a sledgehammer.

Pearson entered through an unlocked door and headed towards Mr Harris' bedroom but he was not home.

The court was told he then spoke to other family members, telling them that Mr Harris had stolen his watch.

After leaving the house, Pearson punched a Vauxhall Corsa parked on the driveway, denting the car.

Mr Edwards said Julia Harris then turned up and attempted to pull the sledgehammer from Pearson, but she was hit in the chest by the handle.

She suffered a panic attack and bruising where she was struck.

Pearson, of Brooklands Road, Albrighton, was arrested and told police he was drunk and never intended to carry out the threats.

He pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon, assault, criminal damage and affray and was given a six month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, during yesterday's hearing.

Mr Phillip Beardwell, representing Pearson, said he had not gone to the address armed with the weapon initially.

He said the watch had sentimental value and Pearson had still not found it.

He said: "This is an incident of very poor behaviour of which he is ashamed."

He said Pearson had paid to repair the damage caused to the car.

Mr Beardwell said: "He accepts he was angry leading to the events.

"Also he was very drunk.

"He went on to tell the police he was very sorry.

"He was upset because he damaged a relationship with a family he was very close with."

Sentencing him, Recorder Gareth Evans QC said Pearson had "behaved disgracefully".

He will also have to complete 20 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement.