Hammer man in prison let-off

A FORMER chef who ran at two people with a hammer escaped prison after a judge was told he is now a changed man — and his girlfriend has forgiven him.

Bradley Porter, of Eric Street, Clarksfield, was already under a suspended sentence for offences including burglary, when the incident involving his partner’s mother, and a complete stranger happened last April

Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court was told it followed a row with his girlfriend Chloe, over the fact that he had been drinking — and a new coat she didn’t like.

Porter (28) stormed over to her mother Michelle Gannon’s home in Salford Street, Oldham, where he appeared with the hammer, acting very agitated.

Steven Wild, prosecuting, said Mrs Gannon told him she didn’t want to be involved in an argument. Porter shouted abuse and leaned towards her with a clenched fist.

When she said she intended to call the police, he walked away, but minutes later there was a second confrontation, when he ran at her waving his arms, still clutching the hammer and shouting threats.

Porter, who pleaded guilty to a single charge of affray, was told by judge Timothy Mort: “Your actions were all potentially rather frightening. This was a public order offence, and it is worrying.”

Louise Brandon, defending, said he and his girlfriend had made up, were still together, and she had written a personal letter to the court on his behalf.

The judge imposed a two-year community order with supervision, and a two-month period of curfew, with electronic tagging between 10pm-7am.