Eight years in jail for axe-wielding Northallerton man

A man who put his victims in fear for their lives after he came at them with an axe in their own home has been jailed for eight years with an extension* period of four years.

Thomas Junior Marshall, 26, of no fixed address but previously of Northallerton, pleaded guilty to seven offences at York Crown Court on Monday 11 April, including aggravated burglary, stalking, two charges of common assault, criminal damage, sending a threatening message, and resisting a police officer.

In October last year, Marshall became aggressive and abusive towards a woman, making unfounded accusations towards her, before turning his anger on two of her male relatives.

He continued to call at the home of the woman and her male relatives over a number of days, making accusations towards them. In one incident, he assaulted her male relative, 59, and his son, 22.  On another occasion, he vandalised a van with offensive graffiti that belonged to the woman’s neighbour.

His violence came to a head a few days later when he called at the male relative’s house and smashed the windows with an axe before chasing the 59-year-old man upstairs where the victim had to barricade himself in a bedroom fearing for his life as Marshall put the axe through the bedroom door.

The 22-year-old man, who, having witnessed his dad being chased up the stairs by Marshall wielding an axe, bravely tried to calm Marshall down and reason with him. When police arrived at the address they found Marshall sat calmly in a chair. He was arrested and taken into police custody.  

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Nicola McQue of Northallerton CID, welcomed the sentence. She said: “I am pleased with the sentence handed down to Marshall, it reflects the seriousness of his actions. His victims were terrified and scared for the lives on the night he tried to attack them with an axe.

“I am sure that the actions of the man’s son who tried to reason with Marshall helped to calm the situation and prevented serious injury that night.

“Marshall’s made wild and unfounded accusations against the woman, her relatives and her neighbours. His anger got completely out of control which has ultimately resulted in him being deprived of his liberty. I hope he gets the help he needs while in prison to ensure he is no longer a danger to anyone else.”

Marshall was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £190 and ordered to forfeit the axe.

*An extended sentence consists of a custodial term – in this case eight years - which reflects the seriousness of the offending followed by an extended licence period – in this case four years - which is determined on the basis of what the court considers “necessary for the purpose of protecting members of the public from serious harm”.