Worksop man's weapon charge after family feud over house

Neil Hancock, 47, of Saint Paul’s Road, admitted possessing an offensive weapon when he appeared at Mansfield Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Police officers saw Hancock get out of his car with the baseball bat on his own CCTV cameras, while investigating another matter on June 9.

Neil Hollett, prosecuting, said: “The defendant went out in his own vehicle. He had the baseball bat for his own protection.”

Sarah Neale, mitigating, said Hancock’s mother had died a year ago and he inherited a house which sparked a family dispute.

She said this developed into a ‘bitter feud’ where ‘unpleasantries were exchanged.’

On June 9 Hancock was taking his son to Carlton-in-Lindrick when his brother in law started following him in a van.

“Mr Hancock swerved to avoid colliding with the van,” said Miss Neale.

She said Hancock’s car was damaged by his brother-in-law, who brandished a firearm.

She said: “He never threatened anyone with the bat. He acknowledges it is not right.”

The court heard Hancock, a maintenance engineer, had been married for 24 years and had two children.

District Judge Andrew Meachin gave him a 12 month community order with 80 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.