41-year-old threatened to kill his cousin
A Jurby man who threatened to kill his cousin with an axe after a family dispute has been handed a suspended prison sentence.
Martin James Kelly, of The Threshold, turned up at the man’s property on Spring Valley Road in Douglas at 5.40pm on 19 September.
The 41-year-old, who was intoxicated and uninvited, began shouting and swearing before banging the hatchet against the door.
After being arrested Kelly told police he’d drunk 30-40 cans of lager before going to the property and couldn’t recall the incident.
He later admitted to possessing an offensive weapon and using threatening, abusive or insulting words and behaviour.
“We find it hard to believe anyone would still be standing after 30-40 cans of lager.” – Magistrates
During sentencing at Douglas Courthouse Kelly’s advocate told the court: “This is a sorry tale of a family falling out – there had been some simmering tension between the relatives.”
Sentencing Kelly to four months in custody, suspended for 12 months, magistrates told him: “This could have gone a completely different way.
“Disputes happen in families but it should never get to this stage,” they added.
Kelly will also be placed under a 12-month supervision order and will have to pay £125 in prosecution costs.
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