Man swung sword during dispute
A MAN swung a samurai sword at his neighbours and threatened them during a heated dispute over a children's toy, an Ipswich court heard.
An argument broke out between Andrew Bryan Young, 38, and his neighbours at Redbank over a toy that had been thrown into Young's yard.
Police prosecutor Sergeant John Nelson said Young and the neighbours were in a heated verbal argument and Young went into his house to retrieve a samurai sword.
Sgt Nelson said Young climbed his fence and began swinging the sword wildly in the air, threatening the neighbours with it.
Multiple triple-0 calls were made to police who arrived and located Young in his front yard.
He was charged with going armed to cause fear and pleaded guilty at Ipswich Magistrates Court on Thursday.
Defence lawyer Matthew Fairclough said the neighbours were behaving in a highly abusive manner to Young, and were making disgusting remarks about his partner and son.
Mr Fairclough said the neighbourhood dispute had history to it and needed to be considered in the context in which it happened.
Magistrate Andy Cridland said it was "good luck rather than good management" that Young hadn't actually struck anyone with the sword.
"Had you managed to hit this person you would be facing a far more serious charge," Mr Cridland told Young.
"It was good luck rather than good management - a deterrent penalty is called for."
Young, a father of two, was sentenced to three months prison, wholly suspended for 18 months.
The court was told despite Young having a lengthy criminal history this offence was his first conviction for violence.
