Neighbours threatened each other with a knife and a sword (From This Is Lancashire)

Neighbours threatened each other with a knife and a sword

7:30am Thursday 26th November 2009

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NEIGHBOURS resorted to threatening each other with a knife and a sword after a row in the street.

Bolton Crown Court heard how in April this year 26-year-old Michael Long began arguing with his girlfriend outside their home in York Street, Bury.

When neighbour Michael Williams went to the woman’s aid, he was punched in the nose by Long.

The argument continued, with Long going back into his house and arming himself with a-10 inch carving knife, while Williams went back to his home to fetch a Samurai sword.

Police officers arrived and both men were arrested. Long pleaded guilty to carrying an offensive weapon and using threatening words or behaviour.

Judge Lindsey Kushner told Long that his problems with alcohol were not an excuse for his behaviour.

“If you get out of control through drink, a knife is the last thing you should have in your possession,” she said.

She sentenced Long to a community order with supervision for two years and ordered that he should attend drug and alcohol programmes.

The court heard that Williams had already been sentenced to carry out 50 hours unpaid work.

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