A GARDENER who threatened a woman with a smashed bottle after a dispute arose over the quality of his work has been given a “one in a million” chance.
Stuart Fazackerly, of Cairns Road, Colchester, had previously undertaken work for the lady and was subsequently rehired by her when she needed further works done last year.
However, Ipswich Crown Court heard the woman was dissatisfied with the quality of the 38-year-old’s work on the second occasion and an argument ensued about his payment over WhatsApp.
Fazackerly told his victim he was coming to her house in Spruce Avenue, Colchester to resolve the issue on June 1 and later arrived at 10.45pm “banging on her door and shouting to her to come outside”.
“He had a bottle in his hand and this seemed to attract the attention of neighbours coming out of their homes,” said Richard Potts, prosecuting.
“He smashed the large green bottle on the ground, picked it up with the broken sharp end pointing away from him and pointed at them [the victim and the neighbours].
“[He was] shouting out ‘come on then if you want to start’ before walking away.”
Fazackerly, who has 30 convictions for 60 previous offences, was arrested hours after at his home address, before later admitting possession of an offensive weapon.
Daniel O’Malley, mitigating, conceded his client has a “grim record” but argued he has “turned a corner” since last year during a candid delivery.
“He told me outside the court ‘in the past all I had to lose was my freedom and that didn’t particularly matter that much to me. Now I do have a lot to lose’, said Mr O’Malley.
“He has taken on the role of house husband. The hardship, the unjust nature of any custodial sentence will cascade down the family.”
Recorder Gabrielle Posner praised him for taking on the house-husband role, stating the one year sentence she imposed would be suspended for two years “for the sake of your son”.
“I think you’re at a point in your life where it is now or never. It is absolutely a chance in a million because I really should be putting you inside,” said Ms Posner.
Fazackerly was ordered to undertake a 24 month-long mental health treatment, 30 days of a rehabilitation activity and an alcohol abstinence course.
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