A man who produced an axe during a bitter row with wheelclampers has succeeded in having his suspended jail term quashed.

Scott James Tennant, of Prioress Road, West Norwood, pleaded guilty to threatening behaviour and possession of a bladed article at Kingston Crown Court on September 17 last year.

The 30-year-old was sentenced to a three-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and a requirement to complete 70 hours of unpaid work.

But yesterday at London's Criminal Appeal Court, his lawyers argued the sentence was 'excessive' as Tennant had not actually used the axe, or threatened anyone with it.

Mr Justice Stanley Burton, sitting with Lady Justice Hallett and Mr Justice Wyn Williams, said the incident unfolded near Tennant's home, where a firm of subcontractors were checking parking permits and where Tennant's partner had parked.

"She had parked in a residents bay without displaying a permit," he said.

"The wheelclampers arrived and she said she indeed had a resident's permit but it had been stolen.

"There was an argument over whether the car should be clamped.

"At one stage one of the clampers got back into the car and Tennant told him to get out and grabbed him by the shirt.

"At this point the driver (Tennant's partner) removed an axe from the boot of her car and handed it to Tennant. The behaviour was such that the clampers phoned for the police.

"At that point Tennant went into a nearby block of flats."

The court heard that, at Tennant's trial, he said his possession of the axe was 'entirely innocent'.

Mr Justice Stanley Burton said: "Tennant did not use it or threaten anyone with it."

He added: "There was an altercation which there should not have been. Wheelclampers who are carrying out a public duty should be protected."

However, the judge allowed the appeal and quashed the suspended sentence.

He also ruled the original 70-hour unpaid work requirement was "excessive" and cut it to 40 hours.

Tennant will also have to complete a supervision order, lasting 12 months.