Suspended sentence for man who threatened postman

A man who chased and threatened a postman has been given a suspended sentence and urged to "take this opportunity of rehabilitation".

Thomas Lawton, 49, of High Street, Malmesbury, admitted several assaults, including on an emergency worker, and criminal damage after the incidents in the Wiltshire town on 2 August 2025.

He was also found guilty of attempted robbery following a trial at Salisbury Crown Court in February.

Lawton was given a two-year suspended sentence at Winchester Crown Court on Wednesday, the court heard his actions "impacted a lot of people".

Lawton had assaulted a 90-year-old woman and two emergency workers on 2 August. The daughter of the elderly victim told the court her mother became "anxious and confused" after the incident and had fears Lawton would turn up on her doorstep.

He had also approached a postman outside the Light in Bristol Street, Malmesbury and demanded the Royal Mail worker hand over his phone and keys.

A statement by the postman was read out in court, in which he said he was "completely scared" during the incident and had to be signed off work due to stress.

Whenever he closed his eyes in the weeks following the assault, the postman could "see Lawton... chasing me".

He added: "I feel better when I am working with other people… as I feel safer. When I am alone, I think about what happened."

The court heard Lawton "was a public figure" in Malmesbury who had appeared on "a popular programme" on Channel 4.

Lawton was sentenced in relation to charges of common assault, attempted robbery, two charges of criminal damage to property valued under £5,000 and two charges of common assault of an emergency worker.

The court heard Lawton had made attempts to apologise to his victims to "express his remorse" and had "suffered an episode" which led to his behaviour.

Ahead of sentencing, Judge Feest KC said Lawton "went on what can only really be described as a bit of a rampage in Malmesbury".

He told the 49-year-old: "Your actions impacted a lot of people", but also said that the day was "entirely out of character".

"I remember the references I read from the local MP, from other upstanding members of the community. I know the good work, artistic and otherwise, you have done for the community," Feest said.

"I accept your genuine remorse and your apologies to those people."

As well as his suspended prison sentence, Lawton will have to undergo 30 rehabilitation days and carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

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