Man waved a kitchen knife around after sister died of coronavirus
GRIEF-STRICKEN 33-YEAR-OLD SENTENCED OVER ‘DESPICABLE’ BEHAVIOUR
A MAN was seen waving a knife around in the street after the tragic death of his sister from coronavirus.
James Stewart, 33, drank heavily and took cocaine after the sad death of his sister in April this year, which led to “despicable” behaviour in the early hours of the morning.
Hull Crown Court heard that Stewart went round to a house in Rosmead Street, east Hull, where the occupant is said to have owed him £50, and Stewart took the man’s drill as a form of payment.
He was then seen shouting at his partner shortly after 4am and began waving a knife around in a stabbing motion towards himself.
Stewart, of Rosmead Street, appeared at Hull Crown Court on Monday to be sentenced for affray, possession of a bladed article in a public place and theft.
The court heard how Stewart entered a house in Rosmead Street while the occupant was asleep and asked for his drill.
“Mr Stewart came into the property and asked for a Bosch drill valued at £70,” said prosecuting barrister Hannah Walker. “That drill was taken and it has not been returned to the complainant at any stage.
“[Stewart] said ‘give me your drill’ and took it from the kitchen and then left the property.”
Around 15 minutes later, a neighbour saw Stewart outside a property in Rosmead Street where he was seen shouting at his partner.
Concerned about what was happening, the neighbour called the police before approaching Stewart.
Ms Walker said: “He opened his front door to see if the lady was all right.
“[Stewart] said ‘are you calling the police, don’t you get involved you don’t know who you are messing with’.
“He told Mr Stewart to calm down and at this point it escalated.
“Mr Stewart approached his partner with a knife and he was using a stabbing motion himself while shouting partner, who was in tears.”
To ensure Stewart’s partner was safe, the neighbour brought her inside his home shortly before police arrived.
Mitigating barrister Julia Baggs told Hull Crown Court that Stewart had drank heavily after learning of his sister’s death which led to his “despicable” behaviour.
She said: “He borrowed the drill from the complainant to put together a new sofa. He didn’t return it, but sold it, using the money for his own means.
“He does now realise the effect of his offending and would like to apologise to the complainant. He had been drinking heavily and taking drugs and in the early hours was behaving in a despicable manner towards his partner.
“His sister had passed away that evening. She suffered from cystic fibrosis and contracted Covid-19.
“Mr Stewart was making threats to take his own life and harming towards at his himself with the knife. He has been diagnosed with depression in the past and has made attempts on his own life before.”
Recorder Iqbal QC questioned Stewart’s capabilities of following a community order after outlining his “appalling record” of 42 offences, which included 14 previous convictions for breaching conditions.
“What’s changed?” He asked Ms Baggs.
She replied: “He has had five months in prison and has had time to reflect on how this has affected him and he is determined to make the necessary changes in his life.
“He has thought about things carefully and he is ready to make those changes to move away from the offending he has committed here and in the past.
“I accept there would be some risk involved in taking a chance with him, but I ask the court to consider stepping back from immediate custody.”
Recorder Iqbal sentenced Stewart to a 30-month community order in which he must complete 20 days of rehabilitation activity requirement as well as the Building Better Relationships programme.
He said: “I hope you appreciate that a man waving a knife around in a public street in a stabbing motion is a serious offence, especially in the current climate with street knife offending being taken seriously by the courts.
“On April 26, you were in a public place waving around a kitchen knife in the presence of other people, which would have alarmed anyone who came across that scene.
“I am told your hysterical state was contributed to by the fact your sister passed away, which is regrettable. However, you had taken alcohol and drugs, which is an aggravating factor.
“You were seen to be making a stabbing motion. Although I do accept you were not threatening any other human being with violence.
“I am persuaded on this occasion to give you an opportunity.”