A RESIDENT of a caravan site slashed a fellow resident’s arm with a pole with a scythe-like blade attached to it during an argument.

Judge Emma Peters said there was a background of animosity between Martin Doherty and the victim who suffered a two inch cut on his forearm which needed six stitches.

She said the victim’s wife was the warden of Severalls Lane travellers camp in Colchester where Doherty was living and he had been upset after she and her husband had an exchange with a member of his family at a Tesco’s store.

“You armed yourself with a pole with a curved blade, similar to a scythe, attached to the top of it,” said the judge.

She said Doherty had struck the windscreen of the victim’s car with the weapon before hitting him on the wrist with it.

Doherty, 44, who now lives in Northcote Drive, Leeds, admitted unlawfully wounding the victim in April 2019 and having an article with a blade and was given a 24 month prison sentence suspended for two years and a 35 day rehabilitation activity requirement.

He was also banned from entering Essex for 12 months and ordered to pay £800 compensation to the victim.

Judge Peters also banned Doherty from contacting the victim of the attack and his family for five years and banned him from going to the Severalls Lane site.

Emma Nash, for Doherty, said since the offence her client had moved away from Essex and was caring for his elderly mother.

She said he had had a heart bypass operation and mental health issues and wasn’t fit to do unpaid work.

Miss Nash said the offences were committed more than three years ago and Doherty hadn’t reoffended in the intervening period.

She said Doherty hadn’t intended to seriously injure the victim and hadn’t aimed the weapon at his head or neck.

Miss Nash said there was no medical evidence of nerves or tendons in the victim’s arm being severed in the attack or of there being any permanent damage.