7 years in jail for sword man (UK)

[Rene Allegrini]

Talk about serious risks!!


7 years in jail for sword man
By Ben Turner

7 Years In Jail For Sword Man (from Blackburn Citizen)

A MAN who attacked his neighbour with a samurai sword and set his Rottweiler dog on him has been jailed for seven years.

A judge branded John Orr, formerly of Glenluce Crescent, Blackburn, a serious risk to the public after hearing he had already served time for brandishing a knife in public.

Orr, now of Glasgow, had previously been found guilty of two counts of wounding Zac John Derbyshire with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm, and being in control of a dog which caused his neighbour injury on August 28, 2005.

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Before sentencing him at Preston Crown Court, Judge Andrew Woolman said Orr was guilty of a horrific attack which had left the victim possibly suffering from post traumatic stress.

He has been left with two long deep sword wounds to his right arm, and bite marks all over his arms and a scarred leg due to the dog attack.

The assault was sparked after Mr Derbyshire and his partner had gone around to Orr's wife Angela's house in Glenluce Crescent following a dispute involving her children. Judge Woolman accepted that Mr Derbyshire was angry and had put his hand on Mrs Orr's shoulder, but told Orr: "The jury found that your response was out of all proportion to what he had done.

"You came downstairs with some knife, or sword, and then chased Mr Derbyshire down his street, accompanied by your dog.

"You attacked him with that weapon and caused serious injuries.

"It is clear this was a horrific attack with a sharp weapon but that was not enough, you set your Rottweiler on him which locked its jaws on his body and bit him repeatedly."

Referring to his past, when Orr received a 90-day jail term in 1992 following an altercation with a neighbour in Paisley, Scotland, Judge Woolman added: "On this occasion you didn't use the knife, but the alarming factor is twice in your life you have resorted to taking a knife out in a public place.

"I cannot consider you anything other than a risk of causing serious harm."

He warned Orr must serve a minimum of three years and five months before being considered for parole, and when freed will remain on licence for life.

The fate of the Rottweiler, which belongs to his wife Angela, will be decided at another hearing in December.

After the case Det Sgt Julie Peter, who led the investigation, said: "This was a horrific attack which took place on a street full of young children.

"The victim suffered serious injuries, but hopefully he will make a full recovery. "

Mrs Orr, who still lives in Glenluce Crescent, said she would fight to keep the dog, which she claimed was not a danger.