A Viking fanatic has described how he endured a 10-month ordeal after his decision do an impression of his medieval hero while holding two axes led to him facing a crown court trial.

Henry Ward, 44, was unanimously cleared of any wrongdoing by a jury.

The businessman was prosecuted after two chefs who worked temporarily at his restaurant in Aspatria accused him of behaving in a threatening way while holding the axes.

A long-time fan of Viking culture and weaponry, Mr Ward told the court how he was in his Lakeside Inn last August discussing his hobby of axe-throwing when the incident at the centre of his trial happened.

As he showed the chefs two axes from his collection, he light-heartedly gave them a “Viking roar” – an impromptu imitation of the famous 10th century warrior poet Egill Skallagrímsson. But the “jovial” episode backfired after a formal complaint was lodged with the police and a prosecution began.

Mr Ward was charged with the serious offence of affray.

But after a three- day trial, the jury accepted his version and that he had not been in any way aggressive.

Describing his courtroom experience, Mr Ward said: “It was terrifying. Everything runs through your mind – the fact that there could have been a jail term if the jury hadn’t believed me.

“To be honest, I’m just shocked that it got that far. The allegation against me was complete nonsense. So it’s Chefs 0 Viking 1!”

Mr Ward told the jury that the evidence against him was riddled with inconsistencies, and that one of the men who complained had last year told him in a note that the complaint would go no further. But I was portrayed as some madman,” he said. “It was a nightmare.

“The barrister used my interest in Viking culture against me. We’d been talking about my hobby of axe-throwing, so I said I’d go and get them. I never even came out from behind the bar.”

Despite what happened, said Mr Ward, his fascination for Viking culture remains undiminished.

A descendant of “northmen” himself, he remains intrigued by the life of Egill Skallagrímsson, and Viking culture generally.

He was particularly worried about the impact of the case on his business plans, which involve the erection of 200 new luxury lodges. But as the case ended, the judge, Recorder Kevin Grice, told Mr Ward, who has no criminal record: “The jury’s verdict acquits you completely.”

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