Ban for student with axe in gang row
A Walsall College student who brandished an axe in a confrontation between gangs has been banned from the town centre after a judge feared more trouble would spill on to the streets.
A Walsall College student who brandished an axe in a confrontation between gangs has been banned from the town centre after a judge feared more trouble would spill on to the streets.
Prabinder Singh, of Mount Street, Caldmore, had the weapon in the waistband of his trousers during an argument in The Bridge on October 22.
At Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday, the 19-year-old was given eight months in a Young Offenders' Institution, suspended for 18 months; 18 months supervision and ordered to attend the Think First programme.
He was also banned from being within 250 metres of Walsall Bus Station from 1pm until midnight for 18 months.
The court heard how Singh had a long history with the rival gang and problems had followed him from Willenhall School Sports College to Alumwell Comprehensive to Walsall College. The gang had also harassed him over the phone and put threatening messages on internet social networking sites, the court was told.
Mr Chanjit Jutla, prosecuting, said plain-clothes officers arrested him after the argument near the Halifax bank. Mr Jutla said the father-of-one also had previous convictions for theft, common assault and criminal damage.
Singh, who pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon at Walsall Magistrates Court on October 23, said he had the axe to chop down bushes in his back garden.
But Judge John Wait said yesterday: "You had it in a public place and there is no excuse for you having it at that time."