Bloodied man prowled Market Drayton streets armed with meat cleaver
A drunk man on a stag night was seen walking through Market Drayton armed with a meat cleaver on the hunt for the men who had just attacked him, a court heard.
Michael Weirowski was given a 16-month sentence, suspended for two years, for possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.
The 53-year-old was spotted in Market Drayton by two members of the public at about 2.30am on September 2.
Cathlyn Orchard, prosecuting, said: “The defendant was out in Market Drayton at a stag do.
"In the early hours of the morning he got into a fight after having consumed perhaps too much alcohol.
"Police were called but he refused to co-operate with them.
“Shortly after he was seen carrying the meat cleaver.
"The person who saw him knew him and tried to encourage him to go home.
"Another witness saw the defendant with the meat cleaver and heard him say that no one would disrespect him. He then struck a bench with it.”
Police later found Weirowski at his flat.
Robert Edwards, defending, said Weirowski had been left badly injured after the attack.
Avoid
“He was set upon by four men and left in a bloodied state," he said.
"He recalls nothing of what transpired later on, however.
"But it appears he has taken a meat cleaver out while he was drunk and there is no way I can get around that.
“However, he does not wish to ever come back before a court again and realises perhaps drink is something he should avoid.”
Judge Anthony Lowe said that because of Weirowski’s previous convictions, the immediate custody threshold had been crossed.
He added: “Yours is quite a difficult case to assess.
"I am aware you were badly beaten up but you then must have gone home to get a meat cleaver because I can’t see where else you would have gotten one at 2.30am.
“It must have been with the intent of looking for the person who attacked you.
“But I am persuaded that this was a momentary lapse.”
Weirowski was also ordered to complete 240 hours of unpaid work.
