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A drunk man wielding a samurai sword rampaged down a street in Feilding attacking and abusing residents.
The 29-year-old man from Feilding had become agitated and aggressive after drinking with family members on Friday night, Sergeant Phil Gillbanks of Feilding police said.
He was heavily intoxicated when he walked down the residential street and abused and assaulted members of the public.
He fetched the sword when a homeowner confronted him after he damaged a letter-box.
He allegedly attacked the 43-year-old man with the sword leaving him with a minor head wound, which did not require medical treatment, Mr Gillbanks said.
The Norrie Street resident who was cut said he had lived on the street for 15 years, but his wife was thinking of moving.
"It was really scary," the man who did not wish to be identified told the Manawatu Standard.
"Even though he is now in police custody you don't know who he is involved with.
"It could have been much worse. I was worried someone was going to smash through our glass door."
Another resident, who did not want to be identified, said his son was punched in the face by the man.
"He just came down the street having a go at anyone he came across," he told the paper.
The alleged offender drove off before police arrived and was arrested on Saturday morning.
He appeared in Palmerston North District Court today charged with assault with a weapon, two counts of common assault, intentional damage and driving while disqualified.
He was remanded in custody to reappear on January 6.
The incident was a reminder to people of the dangers of intervening and how quickly things could spiral out of control, Mr Gillbanks said.
He asked that police were always called first.
- NZPA
