Haverhill man imprisoned for axe attack

A Haverhill man attacked another man with an axe in the town has been jailed.

Ashley Braham , 35, appeared yesterday at Ipswich Crown Court after pleading guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and being in possession of an offensive weapon.

The court heard that Braham, of Conway Close had confronted his victim Anthony Kelly behind the Tesco store on April 12.

Prosecuting, Michael Crimp said Braham had been intending to pressure Mr Kelly into handing over his mobile phone so images he had posted on social media could be deleted.

Braham had found the axe while on his way to the scene of the incident and had used it to inflict two large gashes to Mr Kelly’s head as well as cuts to his chest and arms.

The attack took place in front of a group of Mr Kelly’s friends and two of their children before he was able to break away and get hospital treatment, said Mr Crimp.

The court heard that Braham later surrendered himself to police, after which he was charged.

Judge John Devaux, who said alcohol had contributed to the attack which had badly affected the two children, sentenced Braham to 56 months imprisonment.

Roger Thomson, appearing for Braham, said his client was remorseful and had taken the axe with the intention of using it for self-defence and could not fully explain why he then used it to attack Mr Kelly.

Two explicit images had been posted on social media by Mr Kelly and which Braham’s stepdaughter and friends had access.

There had been “ongoing issues” between Mr Kelly and Braham’s family, said Mr Thomson.