Published date: 10 January 2017 |
Published by: Jonathan GrieveRead more articles by Jonathan Grieve Email reporter
Wrexham Magistrates’ Court was evacuated after a man furious at being jailed smashed a fire panel.
Derek John Roberts, of no fixed address, unleashed a volley of foul-mouthed abuse at district judge Gwyn Jones, who said Roberts had already been given “chance after chance” to prove he could comply with probation.
Roberts had pleaded with Mr Jones not to send him to prison, but as he was taken to the cells, shouted foul-mouthed abuse towards him.
The fire alarm sounded and the building was evacuated.
Roberts, 33, was appearing on charges of using violence to secure entry to his former partner’s home in Delfryn, Penycae, as well as causing harassment and criminal damage, all in the early hours of Saturday morning,
Roberts pleaded guilty to all three charges and the court heard he had been involved in a “violent” relationship with his ex-partner for 16 years.
Justin Espie, prosecuting, said the relationship came to an end nine months ago but at 4am on Saturday, the victim was in bed when she was woken up by their teenage son after he heard a noise outside.
When the victim looked outside, she could see Roberts in the garden and he was shouting abuse.
He left to a nearby friend’s house but returned half an hour later having not been able to get in.
The victim told Roberts to go away or she would call the police, but he started hitting a kitchen window with a plastic garden chair.
He left but returned a third time and was still aggressive, shouting and trying to smash his way into the house.
Roberts managed to break the window and got into the kitchen, where he was seen by the victim to be holding two large knives, one about a foot in length.
He only intended to harm himself, the court heard.
Police arrived and Roberts fled through the back door, throwing the knives at force vehicles.
He was followed by his teenage son, who tackled him to the ground and restrained Roberts until police arrested him.
Euros Jones, defending, said Roberts had been visiting the victim on a regular basis but on this occasion, there was an argument and he was asked to leave.
Roberts’ friend was not at home and that was why he repeatedly returned to the house, Mr Jones said.
He did not expect a plastic chair to be able to smash the kitchen window and he intended to use the knives to self-harm. There was no suggestion he had used the knives to threaten anyone.
Mr Jones said Roberts had a number of issues since the death of his mother last year and had since turned to drugs.
“[Roberts] has struggled with probation because he is homeless and he has demons he needs to address,” Mr Jones added.
Addressing the district judge, Roberts pleaded not to be sentenced to custody.
He said: “All I need is help. I have been to custody so many times and it doesn’t help. If I had that chance, I promise I wouldn’t let you down.
“Please – if I go to jail today I will be back to where I started. I am sorry.”
But Roberts’ pleas fell on deaf ears and Mr Jones sentenced him to 22 weeks in prison for the forced entry and harassment charges, as well as four weeks for the criminal damage to be served concurrently.
The district judge said: “It is quite clear you were not welcome at the property.
“You may have been under the influence of alcohol or other substances but it is quite clear you were told not to go to that address.
“This occurred in a domestic setting where there were children present.
“It is not right and proper for them to see their father acting in an aggressive manner towards their mother.
“There is a significant history of threatening behaviour. You have been given chance after chance. Only immediate custody is justified.”
Mr Jones ordered Roberts to pay £115 costs and imposed a restraining order for two years
http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/171118/wrexham-court-evacuated-after-man-s-outburst-at-being-jailed.aspx
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