Jailed over ice axe threats

12:04pm Tuesday 19th August 2008

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A MAN who threatened police with an ice axe after smashing up his girlfriend's home in Partington has been jailed for 18 months.

Mark Conroy, 35, of Floral Court, Salford went berserk after a row with his partner at her house on Cumberland Road.

Minshull Street Crown Court was told Conroy, who had shotgun cartridges in his pocket, wrecked the victim's home, causing her to flee and call police.

Officers arrived to find Conroy had vanished but they found him nearby and he threatened them with an ice axe and a lump hammer before being arrested.

Father of one Conroy admitted affray, criminal damage and possessing offensive weapons and ammunition.

The court heard he had a criminal record dating back 20 years. In 1991 he was locked up for four years for attempted robbery then in 1995 he was given five years for robbing an off licence while armed with an air rifle.

He had other conviction for burglary, dangerous driving and disorder and blamed much of his offending on alcohol.

Passing sentence Judge Roger Thomas QC told him: "I get many proposals urging some sort of community order to have people treated and address the problems they have with drink.

"However I do not think that sort of order would work with you with your record history. I can't make you give up drink. You yourself have to settle down and lead a better life.”

In mitigation Conroy said he had confiscated the shotgun cartridges from "some lads" and had intended to either hand them into police or throw them into a canal.