Man ‘lost control’ and threatened to behead police

ADOCTOR’S son armed with knives threatened to behead police officers during a terrifying 90-minute stand off, a court heard.

Yusif Al-Zidgali, 25, ‘lost complete control’ and warned he would stab and slit the throats of police, prosecutors said.

Around 15 officers, some dressed in riot gear with shields, used pepper spray to partially disarm him before a police negotiator talked him into giving himself up.

The dramatic incident happened at his flat on Peel Street, Macclesfield, on January 26, after his mother and father, who is a doctor, raised the alarm.

At Chester Crown Court on April 29, Al-Zidgali admitted making threats to kill and affray.

He was sentenced to two years in prison suspended for two years. Robert Jones, prosecuting, described it as a ‘very sad case’ triggered by ‘the self imposed misuse of alcohol and drugs’.

He said: “On January 26 both parents were at the flat. The defendant appeared to lose complete control. He was extremely abusive towards his mother. He asked his parents to leave and threw a can of alcohol at his dad. It prompted them to grapple. His parents got out and called the police, concerned that he may carry out some of threats he was making to himself. Two female police officers arrived but he was very abusive.

“Pc Fisher arrived and said the defendant was totally out of control and enraged. He was threatening to stab them.

“Eventually the defendant opened the door and officers were faced with a terrifying sight of him brandishing two large knives, It was very intimidating.

“There was a knife in each hand. They used their spray and it appeared to work because the defendant turned away and dropped one knife, which officers grabbed away. A police negotiator was called. The defendant threatened to behead and to slit the throats of the officers. He cut himself deliberately causing a deep cut to the fingers on his right hand. There was blood on the doors and walls. It was a truly fright- ening sight for the officers.

“Eventually the injuries and loss of blood made the defendant less aggressive and he was taken into custody. He went to Macclesfield Hospital then another hospital, but discharged himself and was arrested again at home a few days later.”

Robert English, defending, said Al-Zidgali had no memory of the incident due to a combination of drink, drugs and his depressive state.