Norfolk man who swung axe avoids jail term

Mary HamiltonA man who drunkenly swung an axe in a fight in a Norfolk town was told he was lucky not to be sent straight to jail.Mary Hamilton

A man who drunkenly swung an axe in a fight in a Norfolk town was told he was lucky not to be sent straight to jail.

Leslie Paramor, 38, was with a large group of people causing a disturbance in Church Street, North Walsham, on December 5, Norwich Crown Court was told yesterday

Prosecuting, Nick Methwold said: 'It seemed there were about 20 people fighting and witnesses say there was lots of noise and shouting.

'Whether or not he was part of that group, Paramor was seen waving an axe around in the street. Witnesses described him shouting 'Come on then, who wants it'.'

Mitigating, Michael Clare said Paramor was a heroin addict who had been clean for four years, and his long history of offending was due to his addiction.

'His offending has been tailing off and he has not committed an offence since 2006, but he does use alcohol as a release valve,' said Mr Clare. 'For men like this, it would be a huge setback to return to prison.'

Judge Alasdair Darroch told Paramor: 'I accept you did not bring the axe to the scene, but a drunk man in a public place waving an axe is a terrifying prospect.

'If you had been trying to hit someone with it, you would have gone to prison. If you had hit someone you would have gone to prison for a long time.'

Paramor, of Hall Lane, North Walsham, admitted affray. He was sentenced to 30 weeks in prison, suspended for two years, and must undertake an alcohol treatment programme.