After police were told by a man inside an Aberglasslyn house that he would stab and kill them, officers were so concerned for their safety that they drew their pistols, Maitland Local Court heard this week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Timothy Keith Martin, 22, of Churchill Crescent, Rutherford, was sentenced to nine months in jail on Monday – suspended on condition he entered a good behaviour bond for that period.
The court heard that between 6pm and 6.10pm on April 21 this year, police had gone to a house in Dunnart Street after they had received numerous calls from a woman asking for help.
After they arrived, Martin began shouting at them from another residence nearby.
According to a police statement tendered to the court, Martin said he would stab police.
They had managed to calm him down, but he refused to allow them to enter that house or to come outside.
“His threats to stab police were taken seriously by them and caused them to fear he would act on those threats,” the statement said.
Police then saw Martin run away from the window towards the front door.
He was shouting: “I’m going to f------ kill you.”
“Police could not see his hand and considering his threats to stab them, the officers drew their pistols,” the court heard.
The officers directed Martin not to move, but he ignored them and ran off.
Police chased him for a short time, but he vanished between houses.
The officers came back later with a police dog and were given permission to search a house, finding Martin hiding in a roof cavity.
Sentencing Martin, magistrate Sharron Crews told him: “Any intimidation is a serious matter.
“Police drew their pistols because they didn’t know what was in your hand.”
Martin had chosen not to obey them and they believed they were in some jeopardy.
“This was very strange, silly behaviour from a young man who did not have an extensive criminal history,” Ms Crews told Martin.