'Son of Lucifer' axe attacker Richard Nash jailed

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-33414338

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A man who called himself the "son of Lucifer" and attacked two strangers with an axe has been jailed.

Richard Nash, 37, assaulted the men after he was refused entry to the Dolphin Pub in Exeter in Devon last August.

Nash, of Briar Crescent, Exeter, denied two counts of wounding but was found guilty after a trial at Exeter Crown Court and was jailed for three years.

The judge said it was an "outlandish and extreme incident".

The court heard Nash had left his home with the axe after an argument with his wife and was planning to use it to clear a camping space in woodland.

He went into the pub to buy tobacco but was told to leave when customers spotted the weapon.

Erratic behaviour

He met victims Mark Peach, 26, and Kevin Latimer, 29, outside and attacked them for no reason, the court heard.

Recorder Ignatius Hughes said: "Mr Peach suffered a very serious injury to his neck and if the blow had landed slightly differently, you might have found yourself facing a much more serious charge.

"It was terrifying for him and he told the jury he thought he was going to die. Mr Latimer was also attacked with the axe but his injuries were less serious."

Nash's wife said his behaviour had become erratic in the weeks leading up to the attack, possibly because of his use or steroids and excessive drinking.

When police arrested Nash he told them he was the son of Lucifer, the court heard.

Nash claimed he acted in self defence after the two men behaved aggressively towards him.

He said he was on his way to a den on land behind the estate to cool down after a row with his wife and took the axe to cut down brambles.