Machete man in terrifying chase after row

A man wielding a machete in one hand and a can of cider in the other chased another man along a Walsall street in full view of terrified passing motorists, Walsall Magistrates Court heard.

Graham Peter Dolman, aged 61, yesterday pleaded guilty to possession of a weapon, which was an 18-inch machete.

A mother phoned the police after spotting the defendant chasing the unnamed man in Darlaston Road, Pleck, on July 18 in the middle of the afternoon as families passed by.

Jason Corden-Bowen, prosecuting, told the court after Dolman was arrested shortly after the incident, which happened at about 1.35pm, he told officers he had had a row with the man.

Mr Corden-Bowen said: "Motorist Ann-Marie Etchells was driving home with her child when she saw one man chasing another up the street with a machete.

"She saw the incident through her rear view mirror. She saw the man with the machete held above his head in one hand and he had a can of cider in his other hand. He was shouting at the other man as he ran away from him.

"She pulled over and then called the police who arrived a short time later and arrested Mr Dolman following inquiries. When arrested he said he had done it."

Dolman told officers he had been drinking at home when the row had broken out with an unknown Russian man in front of his wife outside their address. "He went and got the machete and chased the man," Mr Corden-Bowen said. No-one was hurt and Dolman, of Darlaston Road, eventually returned home.

Glyn Whitehouse, defending, told the magistrates under the guidelines they had no option, but to transfer the case to Wolverhampton Crown Court for sentencing.

Chairwoman of the bench Linda Whitehouse gave Dolman, who has previous convictions, conditional bail and adjourned the case for reports.

Silver-haired Dolman dressed in blue denims and a blue and white striped shirt spoke at the hearing to confirm his name and address, and to give his guilty plea.

Darlaston Road is a busy commuter, haulage and bus route linking Walsall to Wednesbury, Darlaston and Wolverhampton. Dolman will be sentenced on September 7 at the crown court.