A MAN who was locked up for threatening to chop a student’s head off has had his sentence reduced.
Magistrates jailed Lee Cooke for 22 weeks last month for the incident in Market Place, Durham, in which he also threw punches at his 17-year-old victim.
Cooke, 24, of Churchill Square, Gilesgate, who admitted threatening behaviour, appealed against his sentence to Durham Crown Court.
“It seems Cooke thought he was owed some money by his victim,” said prosecutor Chris Williamson.
“He was heard to threaten to kill him.”
“Cooke’s criminal record can be summarised as 43 convictions for 97 offences, including 32 offences against the person.”
Andrew Findlay, for Cooke, said was working well with the probation service.
The Recorder, Mr Alistair MacDonald QC, sitting with two magistrates, changed the sentence to 18 weeks, suspended for 18 months, and an 18-month supervision order.