Man prosecuted for having sword on doorstep after police found evidence on his video Ring door bell

Alexander Graham, 37, of Moreland Street, Roker, dipped only his head and toes outside while holding the blade, a court heard.

He did so to investigate after his wife was startled by a sudden bang on their front window on Monday, November 9.

Graham was seen by a concerned passer-by who alerted police, magistrates in South Tyneside heard.

His 20-second venture out was captured by the security camera on the couple’s electronic Ring doorbell.

The High Street digital device provided police with the evidence to prosecute him for possession of a bladed article in public.

Prosecutor Becky Slade said: “At 9.15pm police were on duty when they received a report of a male with a machete, and they went to his address.

“The defendant was inside the door and said, ‘You’re not coming in. What’s your problem?’

“He attempted to shut the door, but they got in. It was identified that he had stepped into the street with a machete.

“They searched under the stairs and found a sword in its sheath. They cautioned the defendant, who made no reply.”

Joanne Gatens, defending, said Graham had picked up a gardening tool from inside the front door and not the sword.

But she conceded: “It’s a Ring doorbell. The evidence is from his own doorbell.

“He’s gone just across his front door. He’s outside for about 20 seconds, that’s the extent of this. He had been gardening.

“It’s a guilty plea at the first opportunity. The starting point is six months’ custody.

“The circumstances are that he’s at home with his wife who is in the bay window.

“Someone has knocked very loudly on the window and she jumped and was scared.

“He’s gone to the front door, he feared someone was trying to get in.”

Magistrates sentenced Graham to a 12-month community order, with a requirement of 15 days of rehabilitation work with the Probation Service.

Graham, who pleaded guilty of possession of a bladed article in public, must also do 150 hours of unpaid work and pay £85 court costs and a £95 victim surcharge.

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