TWO men were warned that knife crime was so serious that people who took weapons out in public normally went to prison.

But Richard Andrew Davies and Jamie William Edwards each received a suspended prison sentence following a New Year’s Eve incident at Rhos near Wrexham.

North East Wales’ Magistrates’ Court at Mold was told that Davies and his wife were at home when Edwards’ wife appeared at the door covered in blood after she and her husband had been attacked.

Davies’ wife, who suffered ill-health, left the house and went up the road.

In a panic Davies took the meat cleaver from the house and followed his wife.

However police had already arrived, saw Davies approach and told him to put the knife down, and it was at that stage that Edwards tried to help by taking it from him.

Edwards ran off with the knife but was taken to the ground and arrested.

Davies, 30 of Llwydiarth, Rhos, and Edwards 30, of Llys yr Orsedd, Ponciau, both admitted having a large meat cleaver type knife in Broad Street on December 31.

Both received suspended prison sentences of 26 weeks.

Edwards was ordered to carry out 250 hours unpaid work and Davies 280 hours.

District Judge Gwyn Jones said that the circumstances were unusual.

Davies left the house with the large knife but it appeared Edwards had a little bit more sense and tried to stop him.

Edwards had tried to help out a mate to stop him getting into trouble.

The court heard that Davies took the knife with him in panic fearing his partner would be hurt.

He said that he had no intention of using it and went to frighten other individuals off, said probation officer Andrew Connah.

Defending solicitor Melissa Griffiths said that Davies’ wife suffered ill-health and he was very much involved in her care and the care of their four children.

She urged the court to draw back from custody.