A man who became frustrated over parking problems on his street brandished a samurai sword after finally snapping.
Nicholas Hood had pent up a lot of anger towards a motor mechanic who he blamed for blocking the street with a large van. Soon after, the negative feelings simmered over after the mechanic became offended over an online complaint referring to the parking issues.
As a result, the mechanic threatened to leave his van parked on the street all week in an act of revenge. However, things became even more heated when Hood pulled out a samurai sword while the mechanic's wife and young child were present, Hull Crown Court heard.
The 52-year-old, of Victoria Street, Goole, admitted to possessing a samurai sword as an offensive weapon on August 9. Stephen Welch, prosecuting, said the motor mechanic had been using a garage near Hood's home, Hull Live reports.
Despite this, problems were supposedly caused when the road became blocked by the parking of vehicles linked with the mechanic's business. Out of frustration, Hood posted online comments and complaints about the parking situation.
The following day, Hood and the mechanic engaged in a verbal exchange. The mechanic said: "Now I have seen your complaint online, I'm now going to keep my van here all week."
After hearing this, Hood went inside his property and came back out with a samurai sword in his hands while swearing and making threats towards the mechanic. The mechanic's wife and child were present at the time when Hood walked up to the back of the van.
In response, the mechanic drove off in his van while the police were alerted to the incident - the force soon discovered the sword. Hood admitted that he had been drinking but said that "all he wanted was peace and quiet" when he returned home in the evening.
Judge Mark Bury said Hood was "a bit of a lad in his younger days" and had previously been jailed for three years, reduced to 18 months on appeal, for drug dealing. He also had previous convictions for harassment and drink-driving.
"He was something of a bad lad when he was younger but he has lived that down," said Bury. Hood informed the court that he found it "difficult to get in and out" due to the issues caused by the parking.
"I complained to the council a couple of times, but it was going nowhere," he said. "Everyone knows me in town."
He also admitted that the mechanic had since left and "just disappeared" without any further problems. "He has not been back since," Hood said. "They have moved away from me. I am happy with everything now."
When commenting on bringing out the ornamental samurai sword, Hood said that: "On the spur of the moment, I went and did what I did."
Judge Bury told Hood: "You know that you behaved badly and what you did was, in a way, understandable but completely unlawful." Commenting on the mechanic's van, Bury added: "It made access and parking virtually impossible.
"Waving a samurai sword around is not a way in which such disputes should be solved in a civilised society. This was an unlawful reaction to a provocative set of circumstances.
"Whatever the provocation, it is never acceptable to wave such a fearsome weapon about. One can imagine the fear that was engendered by its production."
Hood received an eight-month suspended prison sentence and 80 hours of unpaid work. The samurai sword will also be forfeited.
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