Chatham man Andrew Mingo jailed over samurai sword attack after boozy wake
by Keith Hunt
A heavy drinking session at a wake led to an attack in a street
with a "deadly" samurai sword, a court heard.
Andrew Mingo and victim Michael Wolverson had been at the
Chatham home of Susan Cullinane, whose son had died the month
before.
While there, Mr Wolverson - whose partner was Mrs
Cullinane's daughter Tracey - and 48-year-old Mingo were
involved in a tussle.
Keith Yardy, prosecuting, told Maidstone Crown
Court both men left the house in Luton Road and Mingo went to
an address where he was staying.
Mr Wolverson was still angry and after walking home towards
Chatham Hill he went to talk to Mingo about what happened
earlier.
But Mingo emerged from the house brandishing the sword (similar
to one pictured above) and threatened: "I am going to kill
you."
The victim put his left arm up to protect his head and was cut
on the wrist. A neighbour gave first aid and the police were called
on August 31 last year.
Mingo, of Afghan Road, Chatham, was jailed for 21 months after
admitting assault causing actual bodily harm and having an
offensive weapon.
Andrew Mingo was jailed
at Maidstone Crown Court
Judge Jeremy Carey said the injury was not serious, but it was a
case of high culpability.
"There was use of this potentially deadly weapon," he said. "It
was an attack carried out with real purpose. It happened in a
public place in the presence of others. You have convictions for
violence.
"You have had a profoundly unhappy life and I don't suppose it
is much happier now. You need to know that I am sending you to
prison.
"It is not that something is going to happen inside that will
change your life for the better and I can think of all sorts of
courses that might effect your chances of rehabilitation.
"But some offences are so serious that the public need to know
that courts will punish those who use swords in public by sending
them to prison."
11/02/13
- Click here for more Medway news...
- Click here for more news from across the county...