A 20-YEAR-OLD who had a “fearsome” bladed weapon in a public place was only trying to protect his home and his family, a jury heard yesterday.

Ruairi Burke, of Sunnyside, Oxford, denies one count of possessing an article with a blade or point outside the house where he lives with his parents on April 26 this year.

In the BMW plant worker’s trial yesterday, prosecutor Simon Foster said Burke was arrested with a “fearsome” machete-like weapon at around 4.30am. He told the jury the defendant had an altercation at about 2.30am with another man, Dayle Eugene, in the city centre.

Mr Foster said Burke then returned to his home in Sunnyside and armed himself with the weapon, which he kept on a wall, after allegedly getting a call from a friend warning him Mr Eugene and another man were en route. When they arrived in a car, Burke left the house with the weapon.

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James Reilly, defending, said his client thought he was going to be attacked.

The jury is expected to retire to consider its verdict today.


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