He was standing in the middle of the street in Garoogong Road.

Harris was waving the clubs and pointing towards people while screaming and swearing profusely.

Police called to the scene flashed their lights and sounded the horn on their vehicle to get his attention.

But he continued his abuse and told the people he was abusing: “I’ll flog you.”

Eventually he turned towards police and was told to drop the clubs, which he did.

Harris, 26, of Lyne Street, Lavington, app-eared for sentencing in Albury Local Court yesterday on an affray charge.

Magistrate Tony Murray said when imposing a seven-month suspended jail sentence that Harris had a history of violence.

Mr Murray said Harris did not want to be assessed for a community service order.

“Obviously that rules out for an intensive corrections order and home detention,” Mr Murray said.

“This is a bad example of an affray.

“It is a serious example of this type of behaviour.”

Mr Murray said Harris received a jail sentence in August 2011 on a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

But he has demonstrated rehabilitation since his last time in custody.

Mr Murray said Harris has made significant improvement with references from his employer which runs a training program for Aboriginal people.

Solicitor Graham Lamond said Harris had complied with police demands as soon as they arrived at the scene.

He had moved to the Albury region from Wilcannia, where many social problems existed and had made significant progress in recent years.

Mr Lamond said Harris had a partner, two young children and employment.

He suggested that Harris was at the crossroads in his life.