Knife threat to mental health group founder

A MAN brandishing a knife confronted the founder of a mental health support group because he blamed him for his friend’s death.

Police were called to Huddersfield Leisure Centre following reports of Richard Royston acting agressively.

The victim claimed he had threatened to commit murder and officers found him with a Stanley knife blade and scissors.

The 51-yearold said he was upset after his friend took her own life after being kicked out of the group.

He admitted two charges of possession of a bladed or sharply pointed article in a public place.

Police were called to the Springwood premises at 7.30pm on June 11. Kirklees magistrates were told a mental health awareness group had gathered when Royston approached and said he’d murder somebody.

Sabira Ali, prosecuting, said that Royston denied making any such threats and claimed the group was lying. When the officers searched him they found the prohibited items in his possession.

Sonia Kidd, mitigating, said that the victim had set up a Facebook group aimed at people with mental health difficulties. She told magistrates: “It purported to be a support group with adequately qualified people.

“The reality is that wasn’t the case and it appears to be run by people who don’t have the necessary qualifications other than their own life experiences.

“Royston and a number of his friends were involved in this group but when he became aware as to the lack of background of the people running the group he raised concerns.

“The complainant removed Royston from the group and the

This gentleman laid the blame at the door of the complainant who set up

the organisation...

individuals he associated with.”

They included a female friend of his who committed suicide. Mrs Kidd said that she went into crisis but then there was no support available to her.

She told magistrates: “This gentleman laid the blame at the door of the complainant who set up the organisation that was supposed to help people.

“This resulted in him going up to the group and challenging him, that he blamed him for the death of his friend.”

Mrs Kidd said that Royston, of Fernside Avenue in Almondbury, worked in a local street kitchen and had used the scissors there but forgot he had them on him.

Magistrates heard that Royston smoked cannabis as a coping mechanism and until recently had a problem with alcohol, drinking 28 units of Special Brew a day.

He was sentenced to a community order with 20 rehabilitation activity days focusing on areas including victim awareness and anti-social attitudes.

Magistrates ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the blade and scissors. He will have to pay £300 prosecution costs and £85 victim surcharge.