Crossbow threat thug could face jail
AMAN who threatened two other men with a crossbow has been warned he could face jail. Armed police blocked off a town centre street for seven hours after being called to Church Street in Accrington following the incident.
Stuart Beetham, who lives on the road, admitted affray.
JON MACPHERSON
AMAN who threatened two other men with a crossbow has been warned he could face jail.
Stuart Beetham, 34, appeared at Burnley Crown Court charged with affray by using or threatening unlawful violence towards victims Stephen Meadowcroft and Christian Katsis and ‘causing them to fear for their personal safety’.
Armed police were called to a flat on Church Street in Accrington town centre at around 7am on October 4. Shops and businesses were put on lockdown as officers closed nearby roads and evacuated the streets.
Beetham, of Church Street, pleaded guilty to affray and denied two charges of making a threat to kill.
Prosecutor Stephen Parker said the pleas were acceptable to the Crown Prosecution Service.
He told the court: “There was a crossbow produced in a living room and the people were genuinely scared for what may or may not happen.
“The first witness [Mr Meadowcroft] said there was a threat to discharge the crossbow and to shoot them but at no point did [Beetham] say he was going to kill him with it.
“That witness was also unsure as to whether there was a bolt in the crossbow or not.
“The second witness Mr Katsis suggested there was a bolt in the crossbow but was not sure as to what comments the defendant had made.
“Clearly they were both concerned by the defend- ant’s behaviour and affray is made out. The Crown is content with the pleas.”
Defence barrister Brian Williams said Beetham pleaded guilty on the basis that there wasn’t a bolt in the crossbow and the prosecution did not a request a trial of issue hearing.
Beetham was granted conditional bail for medical and pre-sentence reports to be prepared and will be sentenced at Burnley Crown Court on January 11.
Judge Sara Dodd said: “I’m not going to sentence you today. The court that is to sentence you needs more information about you.
“It’s very important that you keep the appointments that are offered to you. It would be a great shame if the judge didn’t have all the information on January 11.
“The fact that I’m asking for those reports and granting you bail is no indication of the sentence that will be passed on that occasion.
“You must understand that custody is still an option for the court.”