Burnley man drove at rival after his car had been smashed with hammer

Neil Dutton, 32, was incensed with Davey Williams after Williams had attacked Dutton’s car with a hammer.

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And Williams, 24, was told by Mrs Recorder Nicholls at Burnley Crown Court he could have killed Dutton or bystanders when he smashed the car’s side window as Dutton drove off.

Prosecutor Emma Kehoe said Dutton went to Bellfield’s chip shop in Burnley, near Williams’ home. The pair became involved in a confrontation in the street and Dutton threw the first punch.

Williams went indoors and returned with a 12in hammer and smashed the windscreen and passenger side window of Dutton’s car. As Dutton attempted to drive away, Williams swung the weapon towards the driver’s side window, causing it to smash.

Witness Maurice Smith told how Dutton’s car returned, being driven at speed on to the pavement and forcing Williams back against a wall. Miss Kehoe said Williams was not hit. Dutton reversed and sped away.

The court heard that Williams then went inside and grabbed a kitchen knife, which he started “waving around”, at one point striking Mr Smith’s car.

Williams, 24, of Dall Street, Burnley, admitted affray and possession of a bladed article. He admitted a weapons charge relating to a previous incident last July, involving him brandishing a metal pipe while his girlfriend was brawling with another woman in the street.

He was given a 13-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, on condition he is under probation-service supervision and attends an approved anger-management course for 60 days.

Dutton, of Holcombe Drive, Burnley, admitted dangerous driving and was given a nine-month jail term, suspended for 18 months, and banned from driving for a year. A not-guilty verdict was entered on a charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, which he denied.

Simon Gurney, for Williams, said his client is “ashamed” of his behaviour. Hugh McKee, for Dutton, said his client offered little explanation for the clash.