A man has received a suspended prison term after pleading guilty to possessing an axe in a public area.

Simon Faulkner, aged 58 and residing at Angus Court in Thame, entered guilty pleas to charges of carrying an axe in a public place and employing threatening, abusive or insulting language with the intention of causing fear or provoking unlawful violence in Thame on October 22 the previous year.

He was handed a six-month custodial sentence, which was suspended for a period of 12 months.

Faulkner is required to undergo 12 months of mental health treatment and participate in 12 rehabilitation sessions.

He must also adhere to directions from a responsible officer for as many as 12 days and pay £50 in compensation.

The axe was subject to a forfeiture and destruction order, requiring its destruction.

The court indicated that an immediate prison sentence would have been appropriate given the serious nature of the offenses and their occurrence during nighttime hours.

Nevertheless, the sentence was suspended taking into account Faulkner’s complicated medical requirements and the probation service’s recommendation.