Man swung golf putter at woman's legs in 1am doorstep confrontation

A drunken man trying to get rid of two late-night callers at his brother's home brandished a knife and later grabbed a golf putter and swung it at a woman's legs. Defendant Paul Williams, 52, had been at his brother's home in Barry Road, Scraptoft, Leicester, when a man and a woman came to the front door at about 1am.

Leicester Magistrates' Court heard that the pair had been concerned for Williams's brother, Lee, after a phone conversation with him. Prosecutor Ryan Houghton told the court on Wednesday: "The defendant told them to come in but they decided not to and the defendant started shouting.

"[The female victim] said she wanted to make sure Lee was okay. The defendant went inside and returned with a knife with a blade five to six inches long.

READ MORE: 'Staffy or XL Bully' attacks man and dog in street

"She was worried about what the defendant could possibly do with the knife." Williams's 88-year-old mother, who also lived at the address, then came to the door and told the two visitors not to threaten her son.

Mr Houghton said: "[The woman] said she just wanted to check on Lee. The defendant went back inside and came back to the hallway and pulled out a golf club, stepped out and swung the club at [the woman's] legs.

"She stepped back. The club could have caused her serious injuries if she had not moved out of the way."

The man and woman flagged down a passing Leicestershire Police car and the officers got out and saw Williams in the doorway with the putter. Mr Houghton said: "The defendant appeared to be very intoxicated and difficult to understand."

He said Williams, who had pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour with intent to cause fear of violence, had 14 offences on his criminal record but nothing since 2009.

Kulveer Tind, representing Williams, said alcohol had affected his client's judgement. He said Williams, of De Montfort House, Leicester city centre, was a carer for his mother and his brother, who has learning difficulties, and was protective of them.

The chair of the bench, Alison Heathcote, told Williams: "I appreciate this was a challenging and disturbing incident with people coming round to the house in the early hours but it wasn't appropriate to appear at the door with a golf club."

Williams, who is unemployed, was fined £120 and ordered to pay £50 towards court costs and a £48 victim surcharge.