A man who dresses as a knight for battle re-enactments drew his 3ft sword to scare off youths who threatened him outside his house.

Alun Powell pulled the weapon from his car boot and was said to have taken ‘up a fighting stance’.

The 31-year-old was convicted of three counts possessing a bladed article in public, but spared jail by a sympathetic judge.

Alun Powell takes parts in ‘medieval sports’ and has competed for Wales (Picture: Wales News Service)

Judge Christopher Vosper QC noted that the group had threatened Powell’s elderly father.


Powell, of Maindee in Newport, Wales, saw the gang had a knife in a car, Newport Crown Court heard.

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He then pulled out his 14th century replica sword, axe and knuckle duster.



When questioned by police, Powell told officers he is a ‘medieval sports enthusiast’ who wears armour for sword fights, and has represented Wales in the equivalent of the sport’s World Cup.

Prosecutor Nuhu Gobir described his weapons as ‘frightening looking’.

The judge spared the 31-year-old jail and sympathised with him (Picture: Wales News Service)

Mr Gobir said: ‘He was in a rage and wanted to put the fear of god into them and took up a fighting stance.

‘They saw the weapons and got so frightened that they left as quickly as possible.’

Jenny Yeo, defending, said Powell acted in self-defence, and had a ‘realistic excuse for having the weapons’.

He was convicted of possessing a bladed article in public, but cleared of assault by beating and threatening a person with bladed articles in a public place,

Judge Vosper told him: ‘You have an interest in practicing a martial art where you use medieval weapons.

Powell pulled out his 3ft long 14th century replica sword (Picture: Wales News Service)

‘I accept that you saw a knife in the car and I accept that a threat was made to your father.

‘You took the weapons from the boot of your car but you did not intend to use them to cause injury.

‘You have no previous convictions, you have a full-time job and care for your father – I do not deem an immediate custodial sentence appropriate.’

The judge sentenced Powell to a 12 month community order and 150 hours of unpaid work.

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