Armed police were deployed after a man wielded a “samurai sword” during a parking row in Stoke-on-Trent.
Sean Smart became involved in the dispute after his father posted on social media about a neighbour who “parked like a t**t”.
The neighbour in question proceeded to come to Smart’s home, ask where his father was, and tell him he should not be posting such things.
Prosecutor Caroline Harris told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court: “Smart began pointing and gesticulating in a highly-aggressive manner.”
The victim then fled the scene, returning home, as Smart’s wife tried to apologise for her husband’s behaviour.
The prosecution continued: “Smart then appeared, wielding what the victim described as a samurai sword.
“He made threats to kill while brandishing the weapon. Smart’s children were present in the street and became upset.
“Armed police responded to the scene, showing how seriously this matter was taken.”
Sean Smart was from Moorland View, Bradeley (pictured)
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A red-handled machete was found by officers in Smart’s garden,
The father-of-two, of Moorland View, Bradeley, pleaded guilty to possessing a knife in a public place.
In an impact statement shared with the court, the victim said he feared for his life and felt helpless.
Paul Cliff, mitigating, claimed Smart was an otherwise upstanding citizen who simply lost his composure after being confronted.
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Armed police were called to the scene after Sean Smart threatened the victim with a machete
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The court heard that 11 good character references had been provided for Smart whose behaviour was “out of character”.
Explaining Smart’s actions, Mr Cliff added “He had been minding his own business when a man showed up at the door and invited him ‘out to the fields’. He took this – quite reasonably – as a threatening remark.
“While possessing the knife, he got no closer than a garden’s width away from the victim.
“He was not in his immediate space providing any sort of imminent or immediate threat.”
Smart was given a 16-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.
He was also ordered to undertake 150 hours of unpaid work and a confiscation order for the machete was issued.
Judge Richard McConaghy told Smart: “You have been cautioned twice before for your angry outbursts at police.
“I have no interest on the ins-and-outs of the parking politics of your street. Whatever the victim may have said, he was walking away when you came out waving a machete.
“Your own daughter – who was just four at the time – tried to stop you and you pushed her away.
“Even if you didn’t take the weapon with the intent of using it, you escalated the situation, which increases the chance of weapons being used. You created a serious risk of disorder.”