Man had knife after making threats to kill

A MAN rang the NHS Direct helpline and made lurid threats against his former partner, a court has heard.

The adviser on the other end of the call was so concerned by what she heard she contacted the police. Officers later found Christopher Jones on the street where he lived armed with a hunting knife.

Swansea Crown Court heard Jones rang NHS Direct on the night of May 22 this year initially saying he had concerns about his mental health and wanted to be “sectioned”.

Stephen Rees, prosecuting, said it appeared Jones was intoxicated and the call degenerated into the defendant making threats directed at an ex-partner and her new boyfriend.

At one point Jones said: “I’m going to be on the news tomorrow because I’m going to gut her - gut her like a f ****** fish.”

The court heard the defendant said he had drunk a bottle of Jack Daniel’s whiskey and was going to “slaughter” his ex.

Mr Rees said the Welsh Ambulance adviser taking the call was so concerned about what was being said that she contacted police.

Officers subsequently found Jones near his home in Cwmavon. He was carrying a hunting knife with a blade of around 10cm which he threw to the ground when challenged by police.

During his interview the 46-year-old said he could not remember making a phone call but when a recording was played back he agreed it had been him on the phone and he “broke down in tears from time to time” while being questioned.

The court heard Jones’ former partner was contacted and she told police she did not believe the defendant would have carried out the threats and she was was not supportive of any prosecution.

Jones, of Waun Wen, Cwmavon, Port Talbot, admitted making threats to kill and possession of a bladed article.

Stuart John, for Jones, said the defendant had mental health issues, had been living a lonely life, and had consumed alcohol on the day in question. He said his client had been on remand in prison since May 25 and that his first taste of custody had been a “bitter experience”.

Giving the defendant one-third credit for this guilty pleas, he was sentenced to a total of eight months in prison suspended for 12 months, and ordered to complete a rehabilitation course.