Burnley boat owner avoids jail over fracas with 12-inch knife
1:18pm Monday 22nd October 2012 in News
A BOAT owner who had been facing jail after causing trouble at a marina cafe with a 12-inch knife, was spared.
Engineer David Johnson, 52, had made threats and was shouting at three people he believed had insulted a close, personal friend.
He had told one man he didn't care if he had a heart attack and after he produced the blade, the barmaid had thought he was going to attack somebody, Burnley Crown Court heard.
The hearing was told Johnson was eventually calmed as the group tried to take the knife from him.
He had turned up at the Kingfisher Cafe shouting and swearing, had told the trio: “You three have upset her... I will have you outside.”
He had then walked up to one man, holding the knife in his hand and pointed it towards the victim as the barmaid called the police.
Johnson, of Reedley Marina, Barden Lane, Burnley, had admitted affray and possessing a knife blade on August 19.
The defendant, who had been committed for sentence by Pennine magistrates, was given a 12 month community order, with 150 hours unpaid work. He must pay £250 costs.
