A MAN who brandished a piece of wood with nails in before punching a victim in a melee has been told to do unpaid work.
Andrew Powell was sentenced for affray at Worcester Magistrates Court on Monday, (October 31).
As previously reported Powell committed the offence in Rainbow Hill, Worcester, at 7pm on July 20 this year.
Eleanor Peart, prosecuting, said two men - Powell and Mr Nicholls - were fighting in a busy residential street in view of children and adults - some of whom intervened.
The prosecutor said there had been "ongoing incidents" between the two men including threats being made.
"CCTV captures the incident," Miss Peart said.
"It occurred in Birch Avenue, where Powell lives.
"He leaves his address with a piece of wood with nails in it, brandishing it in the direction of Mr Nicholls."
The prosecutor said Powell had gone into his house, before returning and pointing the wood at Mr Nicholls.
She said three women held the 49-year-old back, before objects were thrown.
The prosecutor said Mr Nicholls had then launched himself at Powell, and both were throwing punches at each other.
"They are pulled over different sides of the fence," Miss Peart said.
"Powell throws a rock or brick towards a van parked in the street."
Magistrates heard Powell had previous convictions for public order offences and violent matters including battery in 2016.
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Sam Lamsdale, defending, said Powell "deeply regrets" the incident.
"There had been ongoing issues, things had been said between the parties," she said.
"On this day things boiled over."
Mrs Lamsdale said Powell accepted he had the wood in his hand, but said he didn't accept it had nails in it explaining it had come from a broken fence.
She said he also didn't believe he had thrown a brick.
"He came out and threw a cake, or a roll," the solicitor said.
Magistrates gave Powell an 18-month community order requiring him to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and 19 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
Powell, of Birch Avenue, was also ordered to pay £185 court costs.
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