A man caught carrying an axe through Weymouth told a court he had “no intention of hurting anyone” and only wanted to “cut some cheese”.
Michael Doucas, aged 33, and of Lennox Street, Weymouth, was found guilty of possessing a knife blade/ sharp pointed article in a public place, namely an axe at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court.
Magistrates heard that Doucas was seen walking near the town’s railway station holding an axe in one hand and a can of beer in the other on August 12, 2025.
A local taxi driver called police after spotting the defendant walking towards Ranelagh Road.
“I thought, what the hell is going on here,” the driver said. “It was light outside, with families and children in the area.”
He told the court that Doucas was “not walking angrily, it was more of a steady stroll.”
CCTV footage showed the defendant buying the axe from B&Q and placing it in a plastic bag.
Doucas said that the carrier bag provided was too small and so he removed the axe from the bag, including the protective guard, and initially tried to put it in his trousers. He added that this was too “bulky”, and decided to carry it openly instead.
Prosecuting, Charles Nightingale said: “The defendant has taken a bladed article out of his bag for any Tom, Dick or Harry to see. If it was in the bag, he might have had a good reason, but he has not established one.”
When police arrived at his home around 8pm, they instructed Doucas to open the door with nothing in his hands. Instead, he disposed of the axe out of the window, later telling officers he was busy “listening to music and dancing”.
During negotiations, Doucas made several alarming comments to officers, including:
“When I’m out of prison, I’m going to kill children in a nursery… and I actually like children, but you’ve disrespected me.”
Police forced entry and arrested Doucas at 9.39pm.
In interview, Doucas said he had been drinking Jack Daniels and listening to music at home before deciding he “could do with some cheese”.
“I’ll go out and buy an axe, because that’s how I eat my cheese,” he told the court.
He added: “I had no intention of hurting anyone. I just wanted to cut my cheese with an axe.”
Mitigating, Lee Christmas said: “This was an unusual method for eating cheese.”
Doucas replied: “I am unusual unfortunately, or fortunately. That is just how I like to eat my cheese.”
Mr Christmas said the defendant was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and was taking medication at the time of his arrest. He also noted that Doucas had problems with alcohol and had already spent two months in custody, losing his accommodation as a result.
The court heard Doucas also admitted two counts of assault by beating of an emergency worker.
Upon arrest, he tried to bite PC Strange’s wrist while saying “hail Satan” and later kicked PC Evans during transport to custody.
The court heard that Doucas had previous convictions, including for common assault of an emergency worker, being drunk and disorderly in a public place, and criminal damage to property.
Doucas, who maintained a not guilty plea to possessing a bladed article, telling magistrates “If I was guilty, I would say guilty,” was ultimately found guilty of the offences.
He was sentenced to 29 weeks in prison and ordered to pay a total of £325 in fines and costs.
Chair of the magistrates, Paul Douglas, said: “The offences are so serious that only custody is appropriate.”
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