A RAWTHORPE man has been jailed after arming himself with a chisel.

Michael Broadhead, of Bradley Mills Road, admitted possession of an offensive weapon in a public place when he appeared before Kirklees magistrates. The Huddersfield bench sentenced him to eight weeks in custody after his ‘immature’ decision to try and protect himself following online threats.

He was sent to prison after he committed the offence whilst already subject to a community order.

Carole Lawford, prosecuting, said that at 1.30am on April 12 officers on mobile patrol saw three males including the 21-year-old heading along Bradley Mills Road towards Leeds Road.

One of the officers saw Broadhead discard an item over a wall – a was red handled chisel with a black blade.

He was initially arrested for going equipped for theft, which was denied although the weapon possession was admitted.

Ms Lawford said: “He indicated that he had started getting threats on Facebook and he had said ‘I’m going to carry that for my own safety in case I get stabbed’”.

Magistrates were told that he was still subject to a community order after being convicted for taking a vehicle without consent.

Broadhead was also in court for possession of a bladed article in May 2010.

Bob Carr, defending, had asked the bench to spare his client prison, saying that he would be vulnerable because of his youthful looks.

However magistrates said that the seriousness of the offence as well as his previous convictions merited Broadhead going to jail.