Photo: ASP Europe/O’Neill Europe

As reported by the Cornish Guardian newspaper last week, former WCT competitor Russell Winter (the only UK surfer to have ever qualified for the tour to date as well as the first European to do so) was handed a six-month suspended prison sentence at Bodmin Magistrates’ Court for threatening three drunks with a bladed article.

In an unlikely surf-related twist, it turns out the bladed article Russ used to scare off his aggressors was the ornamental sword (pictured above) he was awarded in 2006 as the inaugural winner of the O’Neill Highland Open at Brims Ness.

The confrontation broke out when three men (never to be identified by police) smashed a bottle walking down St George’s Road, Newquay on July 6th, before going on to act aggressively towards local residents.

According to UK surf rag Carve Magazine, Russ is said to have regretted the incident, pleading guilty as charged, but nevertheless believed he reacted as any other person would have in his situation.

On his Facebook page, Russ also posted: “True story!! I will always protect my family, friends and castle! Peace.”

On top of the suspended sentence, Winter has been ordered to pay £85 costs and an £80 victim surcharge but none of this should stop the 39 year old home favourite from competing in the up-coming Newquay BoardMasters comp. Hav’ it Russ!