Samurai sword-threat victim blasts 'joke' sentence as Hessle Road neighbour walks free
A MAN who was threatened by his neighbour with a Samurai sword says he cannot believe he walked free from court.
John Paul Goult waved and pointed the sword and a hammer at Leslie Ward.
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'Flabbergasted': Leslie Ward was confronted by neighbour John Paul Goult. Picture: Rob Stebbing
It followed complaints from residents that Goult was playing his music too loudly and jumping on the floor of his upstairs flat.
But when the case came to court, Goult apologised and was given a suspended sentence.
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Mr Ward, 50, is angry at the sentence and is now seeking to bring a civil prosecution against Goult.
The painter and decorator said: "He came at me like a crazed banshee.
"I stood my ground and he backed off and I was able to ring the police.
"I just cannot believe what I have seen. He has been given a suspended sentence. I think it is absolutely crazy.
"The only thing I can do now is take a private prosecution, which will cost me thousands.
"I can't believe you can come at someone with a sword and walk free from court."
The police were called to the Hessle Road flat complex, where Mr Ward and Goult lived, on January 22 following complaints from residents about Goult playing loud music.
Mr Ward returned home after the police left to find Goult arguing with his pregnant neighbour.
The court heard he stepped in to protect her and the next thing he knew Goult was returning from his upstairs flat carrying a Samurai sword, which was more than a metre in length, and a hammer.
Mr Ward said: "I had just finished work and went into the house when I just heard this argument.
"I heard him arguing with my neighbour so I went outside and told him enough was enough.
"He came back with these weapons.
"My neighbours were petrified.
"I went back into my flat and phoned the police and said, 'I've just been threatened with a Samurai sword'."
The police arrived at 11pm and closed the road as armed officers entered the building and arrested Goult.
Goult, of Grafton Street, west Hull, pleaded guilty to affray at Hull Crown Court on the basis that he had the weapons but was not going to use them.
The court heard Mr Ward claimed Goult lunged at him with the sword but the Crown Prosecution Service accepted the defendant's basis of plea due to evidence provided from an independent witness.
Judge Simon Jack sentenced him to a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.
He was ordered to undertake a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement and an intensive alternative to custody course for 12 months.
Judge Jack ordered that the sword and the hammers be forfeited.
But Mr Ward has described the sentence as "a joke".
He said: "I was told that if he had frightened me to death he would have been locked up but because I stood up to him he has walked free and got a suspended sentence.
"He admitted coming downstairs with a sword and a hammer but claimed he wasn't using them to threaten us, but I'm not happy.
"To be told the reason he didn't go to jail is because I didn't go to pieces is a joke.
"I cannot leave this now. I'm flabbergasted. It is ridiculous, an utter joke.
"The judge said I was extremely brave in what I did to stand up to him but because I didn't go away and it hasn't badly affected me he has got away with it.
"Goult was given credit because he said sorry, but we are all sorry when we get caught doing something wrong."
A spokeswoman from CPS Humberside said: "Mr Ward behaved in a very brave way during this incident and was commended for this by the judge in court. This did not in any way affect the sentence he went on to impose.
"The judge explained that as the defendant had no previous convictions, had expressed considerable regret about his actions and was wiling to address his drug issues, he was imposing a suspended sentence.
"In addition he was given a 12-month intensive alternative to custody requirement and a six month drug rehabilitation order.
"This will involve a minimum contact of eight hours a week, an agreed treatment plan, and two drug tests per week for the first 16 weeks.
"The defendant will be required to appear regularly before the judge at the Crown Court to monitor his progress and ensure he is conforming with the requirements of his sentence."
Comments
by piddsta
Tuesday, June 12 2012, 6:07AM
“I'd rather have seen a picture of the headcase with the sword, it's probably more important that people know what he looks like than the innocent guy.”
by rmw1963
Saturday, June 09 2012, 2:43PM
“Pretty poor outcome - decent people need to be kept safe from nutters like him. If he can pull tricks like thsi it won't be long before he does something more serious.
Police should have gone out and shot him like that looney on the A63”
by TheJonesta
Thursday, June 07 2012, 3:51PM
“John Prescott punched some guy in the face when he was attacked. Strange how the powers that be react differently when they become the victims.”
by Red_ken
Thursday, June 07 2012, 1:02PM
“it is sadly disappointing to see justice not been done,but unfortunately as another poster has commented,the prisons are full,prison does not always work.
Maybe we should make prison a deterrent,not the 3 star rated holiday accomodation they are now.Human rights,prison reformists, BAH let's make any prison sentence hard labour were you are severly beaten when you don't do as the boss man says.
Were you really hate it so much that you unless really thick would not want to go back.
Prison is nice because if we reward people for there crimes or behaviour they will become better people.Yeah Right.
I remeber the two kids from donny who were constantly rewarded for behaviour and ended up killing.
Beat 'em and beat 'em hard.”
by lisat_22
Thursday, June 07 2012, 11:52AM
“Mr Ward, whilst your actions were commendable, I really don't see what you would be achieving bringing a civil prosecution against Goult. You'll be the one ending up out of pocket, and will gain nothing from it. A better course of action I feel would be to appeal against the lenient sentence, and if that fails, chalk it down to experience and get on with your life.”
by TheEmperor
Thursday, June 07 2012, 7:54AM
“Beheading with a Samurai sord is too good for the PM.”
by pcrowan
Thursday, June 07 2012, 3:50AM
“@ Blasphemy
"I wonder what would happen to someone if they ran at the prime minister with a sword and hammer!
I would hope they would get at least a knighthood...lol”
by TheEmperor
Tuesday, June 05 2012, 10:37PM
“Appeal the sentence to the Attorney General, like was done in Michael Eno's case.”
by Canuread
Tuesday, June 05 2012, 9:50PM
“it's correct that you cannot bring a 'private prosecution' You can only do that if their has not already been prosecution. You can, however bring a civil action for assault. Assault is where you are being put in fear of harm. Battery is the actual violent part. However you may loose a percentage of any sum awarded to you for contributory negligence. This is because you did have the opportunity to run away, but chose to stand your ground. The main issue of course is that this man may not have any money to satisfy a Judgement. So with all that said; best put it down to experience and enjoy the rest of your life.”
by Blasphemy
Tuesday, June 05 2012, 3:30PM
“I wonder what would happen to someone if they ran at the prime minister with a sword and hammer! Might be worth a try if you only get a suspended sentence!”