Samurai sword-wielding thug chased rival along Leeds street during long-running feud
A thug chased a man down the street with a Samurai sword above his head as a long-running feud came to a head.
Adrian Asquith fought back tears as he was jailed at Leeds Crown Court this week.
The victim and Asquith’s family had been in a long-running dispute, it was heard. On June 26 last year, the victim went to Asquith’s home on Sissons Terrace in Middleton at around 7.20pm after the man’s brother had a disagreement with Asquith.
But when he got to the street, Asquith was stood in his garden with the lengthy sword, which he lifted above his head in an “aggressive manner” and then began running towards the victim.
Luckily, the man was able to escape on his motorbike before calling the police, prosecutor Erin Kitson-Parker told the court.
The 28-year-old was arrested a short time later at home. The sword was found under a mattress. During his police interview, Asquith denied running after the man with the sword but admitted there were “issues” between them over the years.
Asquith later admitted a charge of making threats with a bladed article. He has 22 previous convictions for 30 offences, including for public order offences, violence and threatening behaviour.
He appeared in court via video link from HMP Leeds, having been held on remand following a breach of his bail.
Mitigating, Caroline Abraham conceded that Asquith had a lengthy criminal record but most were from his youth. She said he had a difficult childhood “punctuated by abuse” and was diagnosed with ADHD.
He said of the incident: “He accepts, by way of explanation, that he was under the influence of alcohol.”
Judge Ray Singh jailed him for 12 months.