A MAN whose criminal conduct sparked an armed police response after he brandished weapons while visiting his former partner’s workplace has been spared an immediate jail term.
Callum John Newton repeatedly contacted the woman last autumn in a desperate bid to rekindle a relationship which had broken down, and attempted to manipulate her.
On October 28, 33-year-old Newton armed himself with a Samurai sword and an axe as he visited a Cleator Moor activity centre where she worked.
After she refused to hand over house keys, CCTV footage captured Newton picking up the weapons which were wielded and swung around as his stunned ex stood around 40ft away. After Newton left the scene, firearms officers and a dog handler were deployed and he was detained.
Left “shaken and upset” by the incident, the woman later spoke of being left “on pins”, scared and struggling to sleep.
Newton admitted possessing a bladed article and an offensive weapon in public, and was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court today (FRI).
Recorder Alex Leach considered what he called “powerful mitigation” put forward on behalf of Sellafield worker Newton, was was said to have taken steps to put distance between himself and the woman, and voluntarily sought help to address substance misuse.
A probation officer told the court: “He understands that he shouldn’t have been there. He understands that this all started because of the split between him and his girlfriend which distressed him and because of his drinking issues as well, which has exacerbated the whole thing.”
A nine-month jail term was suspended for two years by Recorder Leach. Newton, of Latrigg Road, Mirehouse, Whitehaven, must also complete a “thinking skills” course, and an electronically monitored night-time curfew.
