West Bromwich parking dispute ends in jail term after threats made to kill
A parking dispute between neighbours which escalated, has ended with a man starting a two-year jail sentence.
Kassim Dhala ignored the advice from police officers called to the scene after the row first flared in Grange Road, West Bromwich, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.
Two hours later the 42-year-old picked up a metal bar with a pointed end, waved it above his head and threatened to kill a member of the family involved in the December 8 argument, revealed Mr Robert Edwards, prosecuting.
Mr Edwards explained: "He was shouting 'I am going to kill you tonight – I am going to do it with this bar."
Dhala, who was living with his father in the street at the time, was arrested when police returned following a further complaint about his behaviour.
The prosecutor continued: "He smelled of alcohol and explained that he had not taken the earlier advice from the officers because he 'wanted a bit of revenge'. He admitted the initial dispute had been about parking."
The defendant was arrested, held in custody overnight and then given bail by magistrates after appearing in court the following morning, the court was told.
By 6pm that evening – just hours of his return to the address – Dhala was drunk once more and threatening to kill a female member of the family, it was said.
Mr Edwards said: "She saw this defendant pointing towards her. He was causing considerable alarm."
Dhala was rearrested and remained in custody until his appearance at the Crown Court.
Miss Kamalpreet Shergill, defending, explained: "He was irritated by the parking arrangements and has a problem with alcohol. In the heat of the moment the argument escalated out of all proportion. His behaviour was foolish and resulted from his frustration over what had happened."
The defendant had turned to alcohol eight years ago after beating a four-year addiction to heroin, the court was told.
Dhala from Addenbrook Court, South Bank Road, Cradley Heath, admitted possession of an offensive weapon and witness intimidation and was sent to prison.
