A man armed with a hammer threatened to kill a rival at a BP garage in the Midlands, leading to a court case. Martin Sigley, 36, of St Matthew Street, Fenton, admitted affray after chasing a man into a petrol station shop in Dividy Road, Bentilee, in the early hours of February 10, 2023.
Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard that there had been 'bad blood' between Sigley and his victim for some time. The confrontation escalated when Sigley shouted, 'You f*****g want some?' before retrieving a hammer from a friend's bag and giving chase. The victim barricaded himself inside the shop, fearing for his life as Sigley repeatedly threatened to kill him.
Paul Cliff, mitigating, stated that no direct violence occurred and the victim sustained no injuries. However, Judge Graeme Smith noted the threat of violence with a weapon caused serious fear and distress.
Sigley, who has 40 previous convictions for 86 offences, was sentenced to 13 months in prison, suspended for 18 months. The sentence includes a 26-day programme requirement, up to 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days, and 120 hours of unpaid work. The judge acknowledged Sigley's progress over the past four years, having committed no substantive offences in that period, and opted not to impose immediate custody to avoid undoing that progress.
