A man brandished a knife in a barber’s shop after a row about the cost of a haircut.

Austin Newman prosecuting told Leeds Crown Court today (Tuesday) Dale Hood was a regular in Cam’s Cuts in Half Moon Street, Huddersfield, but on a previous visit the man who usually cut his hair was on holiday.

He was not happy with the cut he got and refused to pay the full amount.

When he visited again on November 5, 2014 he was asked why he had not previously paid the full amount and an argument developed.

Mr Newman said Hood then produced a knife and brandished it causing other customers and staff to back away.

The complainants Cameron Abdullah and Hew Ibrahim picked up long-handled sweeping brushes to protect themselves and chased Hood out of the premises but he remained outside as they tried to shut the door against him.

He kicked at the door and tried to get back in and managed to partially open it and spat into the barbers. The complainants reacted by confronting him outside. He was still holding the knife which Mr Abdullah managed to knocked out of his hand.

Mr Newman told the court Hood then punched him in the face before leaving. A lock knife was subsequently recovered from the doorway of a jewellers’ shop nearby.

Leeds Crown Court
Leeds Crown Court

When he was arrested the following month Hood denied having a knife and claimed to have only picked up a blade to defend himself.

Matthew Harding representing Hood said he had been subjected to some “summary justice” at the time.

He had kept out of trouble since and had taken some steps to make something of his life including improving his qualifications and hoped to find work in catering for which he had an aptitude.

Hood, 33, of Hall Cross Road, Huddersfield, admitted common assault and possession of a bladed article. He was given a four month prison sentence suspended for nine months with a two month curfew from 9pm to 6am.

Judge Neil Clark said: “This is an unpleasant incident arising from an argument about a haircut which ultimately became violent. You produced a knife, you know that can lead to serious injury.”

But he said he accepted Hood had sought help for psychiatric issues since and had worked hard on his own education to improve things which meant the jail term need not be immediate.