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Christmas samurai attack sentence Christmas samurai attack sentence
(about 2 hours later)
A 32-year-old man who attacked his brother with a Samurai sword he had given him as a Christmas present has been given an 18-month prison sentence. A 32-year-old man who attacked his brother with a samurai sword he had given him as a Christmas present has been given an 18-month prison sentence.
Simon Brian Taylor, from Shore Crescent in Belfast, pleaded guilty to wounding his brother Mark on Christmas Eve 2006.Simon Brian Taylor, from Shore Crescent in Belfast, pleaded guilty to wounding his brother Mark on Christmas Eve 2006.
Belfast Crown Court heard Taylor had taken a "significant amount" of alcohol when he called to his brother's flat.Belfast Crown Court heard Taylor had taken a "significant amount" of alcohol when he called to his brother's flat.
After they drunk together, a row broke out in which he stabbed his brother with the four foot long weapon.After they drunk together, a row broke out in which he stabbed his brother with the four foot long weapon.
The court heard Taylor's brother presented him with his Christmas present - three samurai swords which he "had always wanted."The court heard Taylor's brother presented him with his Christmas present - three samurai swords which he "had always wanted."
Detailing how the row broke out, a crown prosecutor told the court that Taylor fell into his brother's Christmas tree, who asked him to fix it.Detailing how the row broke out, a crown prosecutor told the court that Taylor fell into his brother's Christmas tree, who asked him to fix it.
He "became aggressive, grabbed his brother by the throat and tried to strangle him."He "became aggressive, grabbed his brother by the throat and tried to strangle him."
The argument spilled into the hall and as Mark tried to calm his brother down, Taylor grabbed him and threw him down the stairs.The argument spilled into the hall and as Mark tried to calm his brother down, Taylor grabbed him and threw him down the stairs.
Mark Taylor tried to leave his flat and during the attempt, he noticed Taylor had gone but seconds later he returned brandishing the largest of the three swords.Mark Taylor tried to leave his flat and during the attempt, he noticed Taylor had gone but seconds later he returned brandishing the largest of the three swords.
Telling the court Mark was "very frightened", the crown prosecutor said Taylor swung the weapon at his brother, slicing through one of his fingers.Telling the court Mark was "very frightened", the crown prosecutor said Taylor swung the weapon at his brother, slicing through one of his fingers.
He said the injury was "surprisingly small given the chain of events."He said the injury was "surprisingly small given the chain of events."
Mark Taylor managed to escape and ran the short distance to his mother's house. He managed to get into the house but was chased by Simon who began smashing windows when he was refused entry.Mark Taylor managed to escape and ran the short distance to his mother's house. He managed to get into the house but was chased by Simon who began smashing windows when he was refused entry.
Your conduct was unacceptable. You knocked your brother's Christmas tree over then attacked him with the samurai sword he had given you as a present. Judge Piers GrantYour conduct was unacceptable. You knocked your brother's Christmas tree over then attacked him with the samurai sword he had given you as a present. Judge Piers Grant
Saying both Mark, his mother and her partner experienced "real fear", he revealed Simon smashed four windows, shouting "bring it on" through a smashed kitchen window.Saying both Mark, his mother and her partner experienced "real fear", he revealed Simon smashed four windows, shouting "bring it on" through a smashed kitchen window.
A defence barrister said his client admitted "losing the rag" with his brother but said he acknowledged it should not have happened.A defence barrister said his client admitted "losing the rag" with his brother but said he acknowledged it should not have happened.
Revealing the brothers had experienced "difficulties in the past", the barrister said Taylor regretted the matter.Revealing the brothers had experienced "difficulties in the past", the barrister said Taylor regretted the matter.
He also spoke of his client's "significant problems with alcohol", adding he had "a limited recollection" of what happened.He also spoke of his client's "significant problems with alcohol", adding he had "a limited recollection" of what happened.
Jailing Taylor for 18 months, Judge Piers Grant said: "It is clear this incident arose out of some deep-seated grievance you held against your brother and your level of intoxication.Jailing Taylor for 18 months, Judge Piers Grant said: "It is clear this incident arose out of some deep-seated grievance you held against your brother and your level of intoxication.
"Your conduct was unacceptable. You knocked your brother's Christmas tree over then attacked him with the samurai sword he had given you as a present.""Your conduct was unacceptable. You knocked your brother's Christmas tree over then attacked him with the samurai sword he had given you as a present."
Taylor also pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to his mother's house.Taylor also pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to his mother's house.
He will also spend a further 18 months on probation when he is released.He will also spend a further 18 months on probation when he is released.