Samurai sword 'swung at officer'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7511819.stm

Version 0 of 1.

A man swung a samurai sword, bought on internet auction site eBay, at a police officer's head during disturbances in Larne, the High Court has heard.

The officer had to draw his gun to get Richard Hartin to drop the weapon during trouble in Larne last February.

Mr Hartin, from St John's Place in the County Antrim town, is charged with attempted grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon.

The 33-year-old, who denies the charges, was released on bail.

The court heard how police arrived at the scene following an early morning 999 call from the accused complaining about noisy youths in the street.

A Crown lawyer said Hartin burst out wielding the samurai sword after the officer went to his front door.

He told a bail application: "He then swung the sword at the constable's head and shoulders.

"My instructions are the officer had to get out of the way to avoid being struck with it. The constable then had to draw his gun to challenge the applicant to put the sword down."

eBay

Before releasing the accused, Mr Justice Weir asked how such weapons can be obtained.

"It's virtually impossible to bring a pen knife into this country. How on earth can you get in with a samurai sword?" he said.

The judge was told they had been bought on eBay.

Hartin was also ordered to put up sureties of £1,400, abide by a curfew and report to police three times a week.