Samurai sword man may face jail

David Harshaw, 25, wielded the weapon near his home in Broad Street, Seaford, after an altercation one Saturday afternoon.

Harshaw walked up and down the road looking for an assailant who had hit him earlier and shouted that he would 'slit him'.

Prosecutor Claire Prodger told Lewes magistrates: 'At approximately 2.45pm on April 26 a witness was working as retail manager in a shop in Broad Street.

'His attention was drawn to raised voices outside and he looked out and saw two males shouting.

'One was Mr Harshaw and the witness saw him walk up Broad Street towards Sutton Road and the other male walked off in the opposite direction.

'Three minutes later Mr Harshaw walked past the shop again and this time he was carrying what appeared to be a long item, believed to be a stick, in two hands across his body.

'He was agitated and talking into his mobile and the witness observed him walking up and down three or four times and the witness contacted his local PCSO.

'Police officers were asked to attend the location and saw Mr Harshaw who walked towards the marked car and leant down with his arms stretched to the side, giving the impression he would be compliant.

'He was arrested on suspicion of affray and he was searched but no items were found.

'He was taken to the police station and interviewed and indicated that he had been in a pub watching a football match.

'He left to walk home and bumped into another male and that male was giving him aggravation and Mr Harshaw said he warned him to "leave it out" but the other man punched him in the face and walked off.

'He went home and grabbed one of his Samurai swords and went back to try and find the other man and intended to scare him with it.

'He accepted he was shouting things like "I'm going to slit him" and said he took the sword out of its sheath and waved it about.

'He said he was annoyed and angry and then he came to his senses and went back home.

'He then realised police were close by to the location and came to the conclusion they were probably looking for him and that's why he handed himself in.'

Harshaw admitted possessing an offensive weapon and using or threatening unlawful violence which would cause someone to fear for their safety when he appeared in court yesterday (Wednesday).

Magistrates were told he was given a police caution in April 2006 for a previous matter of having an offensive weapon in a public place.

Jay Shah, defending, said: 'This is clearly a case where pre-sentence reports are necessary and you will have to keep all options open, including committal to the crown court.'

Magistrates adjourned sentence for probation officers to compile a report about the defendant.

They told Harshaw they were keeping all options, including custody, open.

Magistrates also said they were reserving the right to ultimately send him to Lewes Crown Court if they decide their own sentencing powers, a maximum of 12 months in prison, are insufficient.

Harshaw was released on unconditional bail pending a further appearance in court on July 9.