A man from Rickmansworth has been given a 12-month Community Order for possessing an offensive weapon.
James Emerson, 41, of Bury Lane armed himself with a cricket bat to confront a man who he believed was treating his friend badly.
He went to the man’s flat but was quickly disarmed and the police were called.
When arrested, he told the police he took the bat for his own protection saying he knew the man was martial-arts trained.
Emerson appeared at St Albans Crown Court on Friday 22nd January for sentencing, having pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon.
Defending, Nathalie Carter said: “He accepts what he did was totally idiotic. Mr Emerson is a decent man who stupidly took the bat with him.”
Judge Michael Kay QC told him: “You believed the complainant was not behaving well to a mutual acquaintance. You went to confront him. You made the serious mistake of taking a cricket bat. If you take a weapon, then matters can escalate. You were disarmed and both sides called the police.”
The judge passed a 12-month Community Order. Emerson must carry out 20 rehabilitation days and abide by a 6-week curfew between 10pm and 6am. The cricket bat is to be destroyed and he must pay £500 costs within 6 months.
The judge told Emerson: “This was an act of stupidity on your behalf and I hope we won’t see you back in the courts.”
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