Dad spared jail after sheathed sword chase

Loftus Avenue, Marton. Pic courtesy of Google Street View

Barry Ian Kersey, 39, pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article after he ran into Loftus Avenue, Marton, brandishing the sword – which was still in its sheath.

Preston Crown Court heard Kersey had been angry that a six-year-old boy who lived in the street had damaged his van and a Facebook exchange broke out between Kersey and the boy’s dad.

On June 19 the dad went to Kersey’s home in Loftus Avenue, Blackpool, and the men began arguing on the doorstep.

The day before, Kersey had placed the Samurai sword in its sheath by the front door in anticipation of trouble when the dad came to the house.

Kersey chased him away from his home with the sword, later telling police officers he had no intention of drawing the weapon or using it to cause any harm to Mr Green.

In a letter to the court he claimed he was trying to protect his family.

But Recorder Amanda Hudson, sentencing, said: “This wasn’t trying to protect your family.

“This was profoundly dangerous.”

The court heard Kersey is the father figure in a large family and his partner is due to give birth in May.

He also cares for his mother, works and takes care of the home, children and his partner who has complications in her pregnancy.

Miss Hudson said: “You have all this to lose.

“You have placed all this on the line out of this act of stupidity.

“I accept you are a good neighbour and are generous to people who need your help.

“I can see that the level of your stupidity on this occasion is not lost on you.”

Kersey sobbed in the dock as the judge told him the case could only justify a prison sentence. However due to Kersey’s responsibilities and record of staying out of trouble for 20 years, Recorder Hudson said she was able to suspend the sentence.

She handed him a sentence of five months suspended for a year, and ordered him to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

She also ordered him to pay an £80 surcharge and made a 12-month restraining order for him to stay away from the six-year-old boy alleged to have damaged his van.