Walworth, South London – A furious customer who stormed into a phone shop with an axe after a dispute over a malfunctioning handset has been spared jail time, a court has heard.
Raymond Barrowes, 62, threatened to “smash up” Bilal Communications on East Street, Walworth, after claiming the second-hand phone he had bought was broken and the shop had refused to fix it free of charge. The confrontation, which occurred on 14 December last year, saw Barrowes return to the shop with the axe concealed in a blue plastic bag, shouting threats and causing alarm among staff and local businesses.
At Inner London Crown Court on Thursday, Barrowes was handed an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, after pleading guilty to possessing an article with a blade or point in a public place.
Judge Nathaniel Rudolf KC told the defendant: “You got into a state, you were angry, and you brought with you an axe. That is not an acceptable way to settle a dispute.”
Barrowes was ordered to complete 35 rehabilitation sessions, adhere to a curfew between 9pm and 6am for three months, and was banned from purchasing knives for 18 months.
Dispute over replacement handset
Prosecutor details revealed that Barrowes had originally purchased a second-hand phone from Bilal Communications, but returned to complain it was not working properly. Shopkeeper Aminullah Hajilawah told Barrowes that the damage was not covered under warranty and quoted £150 to carry out repairs.
In an attempt to resolve the situation amicably, Hajilawah offered Barrowes a replacement handset valued at £130. However, Barrowes became agitated and demanded a refund, claiming he had been “swindled” with a cheaper device. He rejected the replacement and left the shop, only to return 20 minutes later with what was believed to be a concealed weapon sticking out of his coat pocket.
According to the court, another business owner attempted to intervene, sensing tensions were escalating. CCTV footage later captured Barrowes entering a nearby shop and placing the axe on the counter.
Long criminal history and mental health concerns
The court heard that Barrowes has 67 previous convictions for 130 offences, many involving violence. He also has a past conviction for possession of an offensive weapon dating back to 1978, which could have triggered an automatic custodial sentence under sentencing guidelines.
However, Judge Rudolf opted for leniency after considering a probation report that suggested Barrowes showed remorse and had a strong chance of rehabilitation. The court was also told that Barrowes suffers from depression and other mental health conditions.
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Defence counsel Meredoc McMinn said Barrowes had known the shopkeeper for over a decade and had once considered him a friend. “He accepts what he did was wrong and regrets no longer having a friendship with this gentleman,” said Mr McMinn.
Community shocked by axe incident
The incident left local residents and business owners shaken. One nearby trader described the moment as “deeply unsettling,” saying, “We’ve always seen Raymond around – nobody expected something like this. You don’t bring an axe to a phone shop.”
While no injuries were reported, the threatening nature of the episode led police to respond promptly, ensuring public safety and seizing the weapon.
Barrowes, who lives locally on East Street, has been warned that any breach of the conditions of his suspended sentence will result in immediate custody.
The court’s decision reflects a balance between public safety, the severity of the offence, and the potential for rehabilitation. Judge Rudolf concluded by stressing that carrying weapons into shops — regardless of personal frustrations — would not be tolerated.
