A REPEAT offender from Barrow made a ‘stupid decision’ to arm himself with a pole as a weapon when dealing with a ‘stressful situation’, a court heard.

Keanu Logan, 29, of Storey Square, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court after pleading guilty to possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

Prosecutor Peter Barr said a member of the mental health recovery team at Adelphi Court in Barrow heard shouting coming from the corridor of the supporting housing centre at 5:20 pm on June 4 last year.

The court heard the defendant told a male and a female to ‘Get out’ before responding ‘Are you stupid, it is all on CCTV’.

The court was not told what led to the altercation.

The member of staff locked the door to her office as a result of the argument that was taking place, the court was told.

Mr Barr said the defendant then ran up to his flat and returned carrying a pink pole before heading towards the two individuals, who had already left the building.

The court heard the defendant then proceeded to wave the pole around in front of the male while continuing to shout.

Police were called as a result of the incident.

Mr Barr said when Logan was asked to drop the weapon by officers, he responded by saying ‘No, I’m going to have a fag first’.

In mitigation, James Preece said his client had stayed out of trouble since the offence in June and that he would appreciate the opportunity of another chance.

Mr Preece added: “He is realistic that complete abstinence from drugs and alcohol is unlikely but he will do his best if given the chance to do so.”

The court heard Logan had 47 previous convictions for 80 offences including for theft, dishonesty and possession of a bladed article in 2022.

His Honour Judge Darren Preston sentenced Logan to an eight-month prison sentence suspended for two years.

Judge Preston said: “You reacted to a stressful situation by arming yourself with a pole. That was a stupid decision. You should not have done it.

“You have serious mental health problems which is not helped by you drinking and taking drugs. The reality is you will keep going to jail if you carry on doing that. I want to try and give you some help.

“People like you can turn their lives around. This is your last chance to sort yourself out.”

As part of the suspended sentence order, Logan was required to complete a three month rehabilitation order and 20 RAR days. 

Forfeiture and destruction of the pole was also ordered by the judge.