A renovator who picked up a metal bar and threatened a man who owed him money has been handed a 12-month conditional discharge by the courts.
64-year-old Leslie Williams, of Fernhill in Wootton, appeared before Magistrates on Tuesday charged with using threatening/abusive words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress – a charge he pleaded guilty to at the first opportunity.
Ann Smout, prosecuting, detailed to the court how Williams was carrying out renovation work on a house but the owner, Stewart Smith, was unhappy with the price and quality. He refused to pay Williams as a result.
During a confrontation over the situation on 25th September, Leslie Williams picked up what the court heard was a 1-metre long metal pole and began acting aggressively. Williams’ wife grabbed the weapon with words to the effect of ‘put it down’.
Leslie Williams, who was representing himself in court, said that his client hadn’t said he was unhappy with the work, with no discussion at all. Williams said that the metal pole used was in fact a chisel used to make holes in the ground. He also said he was still owed £1,500 by Mr Smith, but had not been in contact with the client since.
After hearing about Williams’ caution for harassment earlier this year, but that he had no previous convictions, Magistrates handed the 64-year-old a 12-month conditional discharge. They also ordered the him to pay £85 costs and a £22 surcharge.
