Pointed two foot machete at street drinkers

A 53-year-old Derry man who pointed a two foot machete at five street drinkers in the city centre was today sentenced to 12 months probation.

Derry Magistrates Court heard Andrew Rosborough, of Sandown Drive in the Lisnagelvin area of the Waterside, came to police attention at noon on December 15 after a member of the public reported he had the weapon.

The witness said he saw Rosborough remove the blade from his coat and wave it at three men and two women who he described as “street drinkers.”

The defendant told police he had bought the large knife shortly before his arrest to put on display in his house.

Rosborough’s solicitor said there was “no suggestion there was anything menacing” about the incident.

He said his client suffered from a drink problem and had enrolled in a residential course at Woodlea House to address his difficulties..

“He bought the knife that morning and was walking back to the Waterside and met his cousin and took the knife out.”

District Judge Barney McElholm replied: “Why would anyone take a machete out of the box and stuff it inside their coat?

“There is no evidence he used it, but there is evidence he pointed it.

“There is probably more than this, but he didn’t use it to hurt anyone.”

Rosborough was sentenced to 12 months probation.