Furious man ‘lost control’ during dispute over loud music and threatened neighbour with a carving knife

Alec Wilkinson, aged 32, pursued his neighbour outside the flats where he was living at the time on Swale Road, Wingfield, Rotherham, according to a Sheffield Crown Court hearing.

Stephanie Hollis, prosecuting, told the hearing on June 8 the complainant had issues with loud noise coming from the defendant’s flat which had left the complainant struggling to sleep.

She added the complainant had gone outside and shouted for Wilkinson to turn his music down but the defendant started throwing objects before approaching the complainant with a piece of wood and abusing him.

Judge David Dixon told Wilkinson: “It’s clear for a prolonged period you lost control. You threw things off your balcony and you came out of your flat.”

Ms Hollis said Wilkinson returned to his flat to throw more objects and eventually a scuffle ensued before Wilkinson went back in and came out with a carving knife.

The complainant took hold of Wilkinson, according to Ms Hollis, before Wilkinson’s partner came between them and told the defendant to drop the knife as the incident was captured on neighbours’ mobile phone footage.

Judge Dixon told Wilkinson: “Your partner and your neighbour beg you and tell you to put the knife down but you don’t and the complainant is forced to react to you, pinning you and holding you to do everything he can to make sure the knife is not used before it’s thrown away to safety.”

Wilkinson, of Doncaster Road, East Dene, Rotherham, who has previous convictions, pleaded guilty to affray and to possessing a bladed article in public after the incident on August 17, 2020.

Rebecca Tanner, defending, said the complainant was aware of the defendant’s difficulties with anxiety, depression and alcohol and Wilkinson believed the complainant was trying to antagonise him.

She added Mr Wilkinson regrets his behaviour and he did apologise.

Judge Dixon sentenced Wilkinson to 12 months of custody.

He told the defendant: “Knives being waved around are horrible and the risks are monumental and this is why the courts say time and time again – you have a knife, you go to jail.”

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