A POWYS woman brought a machete to a business meeting with an associate over a £300,000 dispute after investing in a cryptocurrency business.
The Welshpool Magistrate’s Court heard this week that Romain Colthurst took a family heirloom machete to a meeting with Lyndon Farrington in Llangedwin to “claim”.
On Tuesday, January 10, a 53-year-old man was sentenced to six months in prison, but a magistrate suspended the sentence for 12 months.
The court was told that Colthurst, from Llanymynech, invested £320,000 in Mr Farrington’s cryptocurrency business and suffered heavy losses. She went to his premises last November 16 to confront him about her investment. The court also heard that the dispute was the subject of a separate civil lawsuit.
Colthurst pleaded guilty to knife possession in Welshpool Magistrate’s Court.
Prosecutor Helen Tench said Colthurst and Farrington’s business talks took place at Llangedwin Mill, home of his company Beep Mine Limited.
“She was present at Llangedwin Mill that day, was with a man called Leroy, and had a machete,” Mrs. Tench said.
“He escorted her out and then noticed that there was a machete in her right hand. It wasn’t pointed out or threatened.”
Police went to Corthurst’s Penifoel’s home in Raniminek, where she locked the door before allowing them in first.
“She told the officers that the machete was in the driver’s side door of her car,” added Mrs. Tench.
“Then she said she had been on Mr. Farrington’s property the day before. When I asked her what she did when she got there, she said, ‘Brush your hair, make-up and hair straight. I made sure there was one and adjusted the machete under my coat.”
“She said, ‘I’m just carrying it.’ He added that he had a machete.
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On behalf of the accused, Pretesh Chauhan said he admitted it was “unacceptable” for his client to bring a machete into the meeting.
“What I say is not meant to excuse the fact that she was carrying arms in what was essentially a business deal.
“The best evidence of her character is her record, or lack thereof.
“Her income comes from rental properties owned by her family.
“Ms. Colthurst made the unwise decision to essentially bring a family heirloom to the meeting. She uses it on her land to cut down grass and plants. was not taken for the purpose of
“There is mention that another man was present, but he was more of a middleman. She felt it was a meeting she had to take because of the amount she lost.”
He added: “I will refute any suggestion that she has threatened.”
A pre-sentence report was completed by probation officer Julian Davis, who told the court:
“She said she would never use it. It was just a defensive measure. She regrets it very much.”
Davis said Colthurst said her last paid job was as an office manager 10 years ago and she now lives off her family’s inheritance. He added that she has been sober for 25 years.
Bench chairman Nick Powell told Colthurst:
“We escaped detention because of your good character, remorse, and no criminal record.”
Colthurst also has to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and pay a surcharge of £154 and costs of £85. No compensation was ordered.
They also ordered the confiscation and destruction of the machete.
