A BUSINESSMAN who recruited a spade-wielding underworld enforcer to collect an alleged debt will serve more time in jail for "wasting" an appeal court's time.
Top judges at London's Criminal Appeal Court have ordered Stephen Thomas Dixon to serve an extra two weeks behind bars.
Dixon had been jailed after he ordered Neil Barratt to recover £80,000 he claimed he was owed – and continued demands even afte
r the henchman had fractured the victim's skull with a spade.
Dixon, 47, of Burdon Hall Park, Burdon, Sunderland admitted conspiracy to blackmail and was jailed for five years at Newcastle Crown Court in March.
His appeal against his sentence was heard at London's Criminal Appeal Court yesterday, which decided his challenge was so unwarranted he should serve an extra two weeks behind bars instead.
Lady Justice Hallett said his appeal had "taken time and resources away from other far more meritorious applications" and that the two weeks he spent on remand would no longer count towards his jail term.
Barratt, who was jailed for nine years after he admitted to the same offence, as well as causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possessing a prohibited weapon, did not appeal against his sentence.
Judge Richard Brown, sitting with Lady Justice Hallett and Mrs Justice Rafferty, heard how Dixon enlisted the help of Barratt to recover an alleged £80,000 debt from a former business associate.
Between February and March last year, Barratt and Dixon each threatened their victim with dire consequences if he didn't hand over the money.
Dixon brandished a screwdriver at him on one occasion, telling him he would kill him if he didn't pay up.
At the end of February, Barratt used a steel shovel to brutally attack the victim.
The 43-year-old man was left with a fractured skull, internal bleeding and facial palsy, despite receiving surgery.
Judge Brown said the offence only came to light after police investigated Barratt and others over a suspected drugs conspiracy.
Barratt was caught on tape boasting about the spade attack after officers bugged his Mercedes.
The judge said Dixon had no previous convictions, and that he probably did not realise quite how violent Barratt could be.
But he added: "Having witnessed the attack, Dixon still said he wanted Barratt to pursue the debt."
