A MAN with mental health issues went into the street armed with a large machete after a mix-up over his medication.

James Redfern was seen with the weapon in Bovey Tracey in an incident which was captured on CCTV and witnessed by neighbours including a child. A judge described his actions as ‘a stone age spectacle’.

Redfern was spared an immediate jail sentence after Exeter Crown Court was told that he is normally quiet and mild mannered but may have reacted badly to mixing two sorts of medication.

He went into the street with the machete while he was in an agitated state but did not use it and was disarmed without anyone being hurt.

Redfern, aged 31, of Folly Court, Bovey Tracey, admitted possession an offensive weapon in a public place and was jailed for six months, suspended for a year, and ordered to do 150 hours unpaid community work by Judge David Evans.

He told him: ‘The images of this altercation speak for themselves. What you did exposed others to a stone age spectacle and one of those who saw it was a child with special needs,

‘You should be ashamed of yourself rather than trying to make excuses. Nobody forced a machete into your hand or into the street. You acted in anger and frustration.

‘There is mitigation in you having no previous convictions and you have some mental health issues. You are a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.’

Mr Herc Ashworth, prosecuting, said the incident happened just over a year ago on January 6, 2022, when there was an altercation which led to Redfern fetching and brandishing the machete.

Much of the action was captured on CCTV and those present included a child. He later told police he had drunk four pints

Mr Paul Dentith, defending, said Redfern was in the process of changing medication at the time but had taken some of both the new and the old prescription at the same time, leading him to act out of character.

He said: ‘It caused him to become twitchy and agitated. He is normally subdued and down. It amounted to a difference in character.’

Mr Dentith said Redfern has caring responsibilities and has been assessed by probation as likely to benefit from rehabilitation activities.