Colne machete man jailed (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Colne machete man jailed

1:30pm Wednesday 25th July 2012 in Pendle By Tyrone Marshall, Reporter

A MAN who swung machete at a man in a Colne town centre street has been locked up.

Joseph Kelly, 66, swung the weapon at a friend after he asked about some money Kelly owed.

Kelly, of Hanover Street, Colne, was jailed for 12 months after admitting possession of an offensive weapon and affray on April 5.

Burnley Crown Court heard Kelly – who is awaiting sentencing after being found guilty of strangling his dog – was talking to friends at a café when the victim approached him and sat down.

David Macro, prosecuting, said: “The victim asked Mr Kelly about some money owed to him from a job he had done.

"At this point Mr Kelly got up and walked to his car. He took out a two-and-a-half foot long machete, walked back towards the victim, raised the machete and then swung at him.”

The victim got out of the way, then left the scene, telling Kelly he was ‘wrong in the head’, Mr Macro added.

Police were called by a witness to the incident in the busy main street, and spoke to the victim that night, before searching Kelly’s car and finding the weapon the next morning.

Kelly admitted the incident but said it was intended as a joke, and that he had the machete because he was helping a friend clear his brother’s house.

Defending, Laura Nash said: “When the opportunity was presented to make use of this item as a joke he utilised it. It was an incident of extremely poor judgement and faulty thought process.”

Judge Beverley Lunt said: “This is a very serious offence and when put together with your other most recent offence it seems to show a violent surge in your behaviour, towards animals and somebody you know. It is fortunate that you did not cause this man any harm.”