Brothers Mark and Matthew Rowland in court after Swaffham incident involving crowbar and piece of wood laden with nails

Two brothers’ animosity towards a family member’s boyfriend led to a shocking incident involving a crowbar, knife and a piece of wood armed with nails.

Mark Rowland, 38, and his older brother Matthew, 39, appeared together at Lynn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

Mark Rowland pleaded guilty to affray and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, while Matthew Rowland also admitted the latter offence.

The matters related to an incident back on December 6, which the court heard was the result of “some animosity” between the duo and one of their family members’ partner.

After becoming frustrated by his treatment of her, Mark Rowland, of Orford Road in Swaffham, attended his address armed with a piece of wood laden with nails.

He chased the man along the street with it, but threw it aside during the pursuit and did not use it.

The man then turned on Mark Rowland with a knife, the court heard. He is facing charges at Norwich Crown Court.

It was at this point that Matthew Rowland, of The Street in South Pickenham, was informed of the events. Hearing that his brother was in danger, he raced to the scene armed with a crowbar.

By the time he arrived, the other man had moved away from Mark Rowland without injuring him. Matthew Rowland placed the crowbar back in his car, but all three men were arrested at the scene.

Mitigating for Mark Rowland, solicitor Charlotte Winchester made clear that he never intended to use the piece of wood, and merely intended to threaten the man.

“It has been a stark wake-up call for him,” she said.

“He has been in a very difficult position trying to look after his (family member).

“He has lived on that street for the last 17 years with no issues at all.”

Mark Rowland was handed an 18-month community order, which will require him to complete ten rehabilitation activity requirement days and 200 hours of unpaid work.

He has also been made the subject of a prohibited activity requirement preventing him from contacting the other man or his family for 12 months.

Meanwhile, he will pay a £114 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs.

Mitigating for Matthew Rowland, Alison Muir told the court that he has already lost one of his brothers.

She stressed that he had a “very small involvement” in the incident.

“They all knew that she (the family member) wasn’t being treated very well, but they wanted to keep her onside and protect her,” she said.

“Having already lost one brother, he didn’t want to see another get hurt,” she added.

“He has never been in trouble before, and the thought of coming to court, being arrested, his partner is extremely distressed as he is not this type of person.”

Matthew Rowland was handed a 12-month community order, during which he will complete 150 hours of unpaid work.

He will pay £85 in court costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

Both weapons will be forfeited and destroyed.