Sunderland man who turned up on stranger's doorstep holding a sword given chance by judge

Stuart Ord knocked on his complainant's door at an address on Laura Street, Sunderland, where he asked for the man's son.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that when Ord, who has more than two dozen previous convictions on his record, was told the man didn't have a son, he remained on the street with the sword in his hand.

Prosecutor Matthew Hopkins told the court: "At about half-past two on Sunday 27th of September the occupant was at his Laura Street property that he was in the process of renovating.

"He heard a loud bang on the door, when answered the defendant was there outside on the footpath demanding to see his son. He said he didn't have a son."

Mr Hopkins said that Ord, 45, then remained outside where he began questioning if the car on the street was the complainant's son which left the man "terrified".

The court heard that the police were contacted and the whole incident lasted around five minutes before Ord was found nearby at about 3:10pm and was arrested with the sword recovered.

Mr Hopkins added the sword had a 15 inch cutting edge and was 25 inches in length overall.

He added that Ord, of Victoria Place, Murton Street in Sunderland, had been subject to an assault by three men earlier in the day, and took the weapon to confront one of them but had no intention to attack anyone.

Ord, who has 28 convictions but none for carrying offensive weapons, admitted possession of an offensive weapon and using threatening, abusive, or insulting words and behaviour.

David Callan, defending, invited the court to suspend any custodial sentence to allow his client to work with the probation service.

He told the crown court: "The defendant admitted the offence straight away.

"He was attacked by three men and went to the house out of mistaken identity.

"He soon accepted that the man or his son had nothing to do with it."

Mr Recorder Hill told Ord: "This is a case that gives the court something of a headache.

"Clearly what you did last September was very wrong and I think you understand that.

"It was frightening behaviour even if you weren't directly brandishing the sword towards him you were walking around with it.

"I do accept you had been assaulted but that doesn't really excuse this behaviour at all.

"Having said that I know you have a bad record but it isn't for carrying weapons.

"You have had some significant problems which it seems you are seeking help and I hope that's right."

The judge imposed a nine month prison sentence suspended for two years as well as 25 days of rehabilitation requirements.

He added: "I'm giving you a chance. You have to take it - if you throw it back the court is going to lose patience."

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