A MAN found wielding a 16-inch machete in a block of flats claimed he needed the weapon because he was in the process of converting to Islam.
Ryan Paul Davenport, 22, was found roaming around Hebble Court, Mixenden, Halifax, after breaking the w
indow panel of a communal lounge.
Davenport, of Luddenden Lane, Luddenden Foot, admitted damaging a Pennine Housing building and possession of a blade.
Marina Hunter-Gray, prosecuting, said: “Davenport kicked a reinforced window panel in the communal area of Hebble Court in Mixenden until it broke.
“Police were later alerted about an armed man at the flats with a knife.
“The building was searched and Davenport was found with the 16-ins machete in his trouser waistband.
“He told officers he had been wound up by neighbours in the flat and decided to take his anger out in the communal area rather than in the flat. “Officers were told the machete was a chicken knife.”
He told police that night: “I am turning Muslim and will not leave my chicken knife behind.”
Malcolm Nowell representing him said: “The knife was being used by Davenport to prepare his curries.
“The incident occurred because he had been in a very difficult relationship between him and his partner, Annie, who he has children with.
“On the night she had invited three men into her home and later decided to leave with them and their one-year-old son.
“This annoyed him, which led to the later incident. He never got the knife out.”
He was given a 12-month community order with supervision and has been put on a curfew order for three months.
He was ordered to pay £150 compensation to Pennine Housing and pay £40 costs.
rehana.zeria@halifaxcourier.co.uk
