Sign up to our newsletter for the latest Sunderland news Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A son who had recently converted to Islam was caught with an axe heading to his Christian dad’s home to confront him over “religious differences”.

Police say Clayton McKenna told them he was planning to ask his father to “bow down to him” although he now disputes that.

The 22-year-old had broken into his mother’s shed and armed himself with the axe and was on his way to his dad’s home in South Tyneside when police intercepted him.

A court heard he gave conflicting accounts about his motives and intentions and although he referred to religion, he insisted he was not going to hurt anyone.

Sentencing him at Newcastle Crown Court, Judge Penny Moreland said: “You made a series of statements at the scene to the officer and then in interview as to what you intended to do and what was in your mind.

“They were confused and contradictory.

“Those statements included a suggestion you were going to use violence against your father, amongst a number of reasons you said was because he was a Christian and you were a recent convert to Islam.

“I am concerned that there is no real explanation for your confused thinking that morning, nor for those threats made, even though they appear to have been without substance.”

(Image: newcastle chronicle)

Police were contacted in the early hours of July 18 after reports McKenna was in Boldon Colliery, South Tyneside, with the axe.

His parents are separated and he had forced open a shed at his mum’s and taken the cutting tool.

Prosecutor Kevin Wardlaw told the court: “Police were made aware he might be on his way to his father’s address in South Tyneside, which indeed he was.

“He was found by the police in possession of the axe.

“He made comments about his religious beliefs and those of his father.”

McKenna claimed he was carrying the axe for his own protection and insisted he was not intending to harm anyone.

Mr Wardlaw said: “He gave conflicting accounts about what he would do with the axe but said he had no intention of causing injury to anybody.”

Judge Moreland said: “He referred to religious differences, although he said he would not hurt anyone, he also said he would hurt someone. Are the Crown entirely satisfied there was never any intention to cause harm as a result of the difference?”

Mr Wardlaw said the matter had been carefully considered by senior CPS lawyers and the prosecution accept he did not intend to cause harm.

As a result the more serious charge of possessing an offensive weapon was dropped and McKenna pleaded guilty to having a bladed article, as well as criminal damage to the shed and possessing a small amount of cannabis.

(Image: newcastle chronicle)

McKenna, of Kingsland Square, Downhill, Sunderland, who has spent several months remanded in custody, was given a three-year community order with rehabilitation and supervision.

David Comb, defending, said he was in a “mixed up frame of mind at the time” and was stressed about the end of a relationship, moving to a new area and the loss of a job.

Judge Moreland said: “He says the argument was about a feeling he was not supported in the choice he had made.”

Mr Comb replied: “His mother’s partner is a person of the Muslim faith and is originally from Turkey.

“He took the decision to follow his stepfather into the Muslim faith, not very long before this.

“He stands by that decision. The main attraction he felt towards the religion at a time he was feeling lonely is he was welcomed there, the people he met were accepting and loving.

“He doesn’t know very much about religious doctrine.

“He has been going to prayers in prison.”

Mr Comb added: “He doesn’t really understand why he was angry. It was really a delayed bad adolescent episode in relation to his father.

“He was very frustrated and angry with him about lots of different things and not really thinking straight.”

Judge Moreland said: “A police officer says he was on his way to his dad’s to ask him to bow down to him.”

Mr Comb said: “He does not agree he was going to ask his father to bow down but he was going to discuss his differences with his father.”