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Man attacked ex-girlfriend’s dad with meat cleaver
A VOLUNTARY worker who attacked his ex-girlfriend’s dad with a meat cleaver has been spared jail.
Aaron Day lashed out at Mark Spooner with the weapon during a row at a house in Sunderland in June.
Newcastle Crown Court heard Mr Spooner did not suffer serious injury but was left with a red mark on his arm.
Prosecutor Emma Dowling told the court 22-year-old Day had gone to Mr Spooner’s home claiming he was owed money by his ex-girlfriend Gemma.
When he was told Miss Spooner was not in, Day warned he was “tooled up” and produced a meat cleaver.
Fearing for the safety of his daughter, Mr Spooner followed Day to the house where Miss Spooner was and the row continued.
Prosecutor Emma Dowling told the court: “The defendant produced the meat cleaver and hit Mr Spooner with that meat cleaver.
“Mr Spooner raised his arm up to protect hs head and was struck to the top of the arm.
“There was no cut, just some reddening.” Day, of Thomas Street, Ryhope, pleaded guilty to having an offensive weapon.
The court heard Day had been suffering psychiatric difficulties at the time and was grieving the loss of a grandmother he was very close to but has now sought professional help to cope with his problems.
Judge Roger Thorn QC sentenced Day to eight months imprisonment, suspended for two years and ordered him to stay away from the Spooner family with a two-year restraining order.
Judge Thorn said: “His upper arm was struck with what must have been the blunt side of the meat cleaver.”
Jamie Adams, defending, said Day, who now has a new partner, has done a lot of volunteer work in the past.
Mr Adams said: “He is someone who helps rather than hurts people.”
Twitter: @SunderlandEcho
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Weather for Sunderland
Monday 20 May 2013
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