Chesterfield hammer thug is jailed

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard on Monday, August 11, how Mark Green, 36, of Thorntree Court, Birchwood Crescent, Grangewood, Chesterfield, was spotted by police on nearby Church Street South with a hammer and blood on him.

Prosecuting solicitor Becky Allsop said: “Police were on patrol when they heard reports of two males fighting in the street and one had a hammer with blood on his face.

“An officer saw the defendant drop a yellow-handled lump hammer and he smelled of alcohol and was clearly drunk and was unsteady on his feet.”

Green told police that the man he was chasing had come to his home about midnight and attacked him after a row.

Mrs Allsop added: “He said this male punched him several times to his head and ribs and the defendant picked up a hammer and chased him.”

Green also told police that if he had caught the man he would have hit him with the hammer.

The defendant, who has previous convictions for violence, pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in public after the incident on August 10.

Green also admitted breaching two suspended sentences for shoplifting related offences.

Defence solicitor Emma Cornell said: “It’s unfortunate that Mr Green finds himself here because he has no other offences for possessing an offensive weapon.

“He was also assaulted in his home by an acquaintance and chased the man. There was a lack of thinking rather than him being the instigator of the offence. He has also had a long term drug problem and this has been substituted with alcohol.”

However, District Judge Andrew Davison said only custody could be justified.