Man sentenced for threatening to solve parking row with a sledgehammer

Friday 12 May 2017

A 50-year-old man, who threatened a neighbour with a sledgehammer during a parking dispute, has been sentenced to 120 hours of community service and put on probation for six months.

The Magistrate's Court heard that James Michael Laverty had apparently "blacked out," and didn't remember getting the hammer, after his neighbour refused to move a car that was blocking his way.

The Court heard that parking issues were at the centre of an on-going dispute between the two neighbours, who live in a cul-de-sac estate.

On 18 March, while the victim was doing work on his caravan, the Court was told that he heard someone shout and swear at him, asking him to move a vehicle.

When he declined, Laverty apparently came back holding a sledgehammer in a threatening manner and said he would damage the car if it wasn't moved.

Advocate Darry Robinson, who was prosecuting, said that Laverty has been abusive before and that the victim felt bullied and targeted. He added that two family members who witnessed the events had been very scared of Laverty and what he could do to the victim.

Laverty's advocate, Giles Emmanuel, told the Court: "Mr Laverty's had no intention to hurt anyone. It was a moment of madness, it wasn't premeditated and it was out of character. As soon as he regained his composure he apologised. He is well considered by various members of the community but he has had mental health issues for a long time which have not been properly addressed."

Handing down his sentence, Assistant Magistrate Peter Harris, said: "I appreciate that parking issues on the estate may have caused tension and friction. While there was no direct use of violence, the victim and the two witnesses were all scared and remain worried for the future. No physical damage was done but threatening to damage a car could have led on to so much more and damage was done to people's feelings.

"Suffice to say that there are issues from back in time that needs to be addressed. I will give you six month probation with the purpose of problem solving, not just for your benefit but also for the three victims. I don't wish to send you to prison, effectively you are a man of good character, but if I were to, it would be a six month sentence."