A community punishment is imposed on a Wigan man who admitted to affray

A Wigan man whose trial was axed when he finally pleaded guilty to affray has received a community sentence.

Philip Savage, 53, of Dean Crescent, Kitt Green, had been due to go before a jury at Manchester Crown Court after denying not only affray but also keeping a woman prisoner and threatening her with a Samurai sword on March 4 this year in Manchester plus a charge of assault by beating.

But after he changed his plea to the first charge, it was agreed that the prosecution would not proceed with the others and the trial was vacated.

Returning to court for sentence, he was made the subject to an 18-month community order which includes completing a Building Better Choices programme.