A FORMER Hells Angel biker who brandished a hammer in a Newport armed street fight has avoided jail.

Andrew McCann, 54, was described as "armed and dangerous" after he took a hammer from his van in a brawl which allegedly involved two other men near his home in Durham Road, Newport, on January 24 this year. 

McCann and the two other men, Raymond Scaddan, 55, and Stephen Jones, 58, were on trial at Newport Crown Court earlier this month for violent disorder after all denied the charge.

The court heard how “terrified” witnesses at the scene dialled 999 after seeing the men fighting in the street. One passerby who was walking her dog said there was blood everywhere and she saw the men fighting with weapons. 

Scaddan, 55, of Beaufort Road, Brynmawr, and Jones, 58, of Fron Hafren, Newtown, Powys, were both cleared of the charge but McCann was found guilty of using threatening, abusive and insulting words or behaviour.

Yesterday McCann, who has previously spent time in prison for a hammer attack in 2007, was given a 10 week prison sentence suspended for one year.

During the fight, McCann was injured while one of the other men suffered wounds to the head.

The judge, Recorder Andrew Grubb, told McCann: “The jury’s verdict makes clear you didn’t use the hammer in self-defence.

“There was a high level of fear to third parties who were in or around the incident when it took place.

“I accept there was an element of provocation here. I do accept that use of the weapon by you was most likely impulsive when you picked it up from inside your vehicle when one of the men approached.”

But Recorder Grubb added: “You have shown no remorse for the offence. You still consider yourself to be a victim rather than an aggressor in these events.”

Huw Wallace, defending, said McCann suffered the most severe injuries and only armed himself with the hammer when confronted. He said the two men had visited McCann's home.

He said: “The probation report shows a hard-working man who’s done his best to put his past behind him.”

McCann was also ordered to pay £400 in prosecution costs and an £80 victim surcharge.