‘Vikingologist’ who pulled knives on banned Liverpool fan and his mother-in-law in stables row over dead horse is jailed for 10 months

• Leslie Radley-Braithwaite, 34, of Redgate, armed himself with two kitchen knives
• He had been confronted by Lisa Masterson, 54 and Sam Lomax, 23 at his work  
• Masterson was upset after one of her horses had died at the Kentwood Stables 

A ‘Vikingologist’ who pulled two large kitchen knives on a banned Liverpool FC fan and his mother-in-law during a row over a dead horse has been jailed for 10 months. 

Leslie Radley-Braithwaite, 34, of Redgate in Formby, armed himself with the bladed weapons after Lisa Masterson, 54, and Sam Lomax, 23, confronted him at his job at Kentwood Stables in Freshfield on August 17 2020. 

Radley-Braithwaite was handed 10 months’ jail at Liverpool Crown Court after admitting affray and two counts of possession of a bladed article in a public place. 

The history buff’s dreams of appearing as an extra on the hit Amazon Prime show Vikings have now been dashed, his lawyer said.      

Lomax, who was banned from Liverpool FC matches earlier this year after hurling homophobic abuse at players from the stands, was also sentenced to 10 months in prison but suspended for 18 months, plus 150 hours of community service and a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement. 

He plead guilty to possession of a bladed article in a public place and possession of cannabis, after a small quantity of the class B drug was found upon him during his arrest. 

Masterson, meanwhile, avoided jail after admitting using threatening behaviour and was handed a 12-month community order with 150 hours unpaid work and a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 20 days. 

The court had heard how Masterson had seven horses at the stables but that one of them had died, causing ‘some upset as to the cause of death.’ 

Masterson also had ‘difficulties paying’ and was instructed to find another site to house her animals, leading to an unspecified ‘incident’ at the stables on August 16 2020.

Leslie Radley-Braithwaite (pictured), 34, of Redgate in Formby, armed himself with the bladed weapons after Lisa Masterson, 54, and Sam Lomax, 23, confronted him at his job at Kentwood Stables in Freshfield on August 17 2020

Masterson, of Croxteth, returned the following day with family members in towas they blocked the entrance to the premises with three vehicles, intending to retrieve some equipment she owned.

But the mother became ‘verbally abusive and aggressive’ to staff members, before shoving one, the court heard. 

Her daughter’s boyfriend Lomax, of Woolton, then retrieved a craft knife from his car.

It was then that Stables armed himself with two large knives as the arguing ‘escalated’. 

The hearing was played mobile phone footage of part of the dispute, during which Masterson was heard to say ‘f*** off, will you get our stuff?’.

The police were called, but ‘things had calmed down’ by the time officers arrived. 

Bernice Campbell, prosecuting, described how employees were left ‘frightened and terrified’ by the disturbance.

LFC fan Lomax was previously subjected to a three-year football banning order in March after directing a homophobic slur at Everton fans during the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park in December 2021, in earshot of stewards who reported him to the police. 

Daniel Bramhall, defending, said he had started a new job as an engineer on Monday this week.

He also acts as a carer to his dad, who suffers from a ‘serious progressive illness’. 

Mr Bramhall added: ‘He did not attend the stables with any intention to produce the knife.

‘It was a momentary lapse of judgement which took place in a situation which was escalating and very fluid. He’s a young individual who, prior to this, had not been in trouble.’

Gareth Roberts, appearing on behalf of Radley-Braithwaite, said the 34-year-old had suffered from mental health difficulties and serious back injuries.. These have ‘left him in constant pain’.

The defence counsel told the court: ‘He understands what he did was wrong. Young people were present at the time, and he’s desperately sorry. 

‘His actions were borne out of good intentions. They were impulsive, and thankfully no-one was injured.

‘Others started this, and if it weren’t for the actions of Ms Masterson and Mr Lomax he wouldn’t be here today. To his credit, he presents as an intelligent, articulate man.’

Mr Roberts described Radley-Braithwaite as a ‘vikingologist with a keen interest in Nordic history’, and a man who had hoped to obtain work as an extra on critically acclaimed Amazon Prime drama series Vikings. 

But he added: ‘He has put that in jeopardy.’

Eric Lamb, defending Masterson, described how his client had ‘struggled financially’ after the death of her partner and ‘has been unable to get on an even keel since’. 

The former nursing home worker, who has no previous convictions, lost her job after breaking her wrist and is now on benefits.

Sentencing, Recorder Tim Harrington said: ‘You should be ashamed of yourselves. This was a disgraceful incident.

‘What happened on that day was about a dispute over horses being stabled. You, Ms Masterson, started it.

‘You were abusive and threatening. Anyone there would have felt threatened by what you were doing.’

Masterson told the judge ‘we just went to pick our stuff up’ at this point. But she was told off for the interruption, and he continued: ‘Your actions were appalling. Because of your mature age and good character, the appropriate sentence is a community order. It’s a chance.’

The court had heard how Masterson had seven horses at the stables (pictured) but that one of them had died, causing ‘some upset as to the cause of death’ 

Turning to Lomax, Recorder Harrington said: ‘Once the trouble started you went and armed yourself with a knife, therefore putting you beyond the custody threshold. 

‘Anybody who arms themselves with a knife in public should expect to go to prison.

‘But you are a man of previous good character, you have got yourself gainful employment and this was some time ago. It’s down to you.’

Of Radley-Braithwaite, the judge said: ‘You are in a different position. I accept you didn’t start this, but you escalated it.

‘You armed yourself with not one but two seriously large knives. Your record isn’t that bad, but you have convictions for violence and weapons. I can’t see how I could possibly suspend the sentence.’

All three defendants were handed restraining orders to last for five years and told to pay victim surcharges. The forfeiture and destruction of the knives and drugs was also ordered.

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