A HAMILTON man who was part of a group that threatened a neighbour with a cricket bat, pole and chain, was sentenced to a community corrections order.

Aaron Major, 33, of Coulter Avenue appeared at the Hamilton Magistrates Court on Wednesday and pleaded guilty to affray.

The court heard that on January 1, 2020, Major was at his address with family members when a verbal altercation with their neighbour occurred over loud music being played.

The neighbour then grabbed a machete and used it to threaten the group, which resulted in Major and two others returning to their home where they grabbed a chain, cricket bat and pole, before chasing the neighbour back into his residence.

The neighbour’s pregnant partner attempted to block the entry which resulted in her being shoved by one of the others involved, as they made threats against her and her unborn child.

Police attended the scene and spoke to all parties, with the accused arrested and interviewed on January 9, 2020, where they were released pending summons.

Major’s lawyer, Emma Turnbull said both Major and the neighbour involved continued to reside at the same addresses, yet there had not been any subsequent incidents.

She said while it was “unfortunate” the incident happened, Major’s response was the result of a paternal reaction as his child was present when the neighbour produced the machete.

Magistrate Nunzio La Rosa said the sentence imposed needed to send the message that “when confronted with particularly provocative behaviour, you don’t respond by harming”.

He said Major’s behaviour was “disgraceful” and that violence in the community cannot and would not be tolerated.

“It doesn’t give the right to anybody to arm themselves and right a wrong done to them or their family,” he said.

Mr La Rosa convicted Major and sentenced him to a 15-month, order of 200 hours of community work.