Attacker made grenade threat to police officer
AMAN made “chilling” threats to a police officer during a siege at his home in Birmingham when he claimed to be armed with a hand grenade and machine gun.
During a phone call Jason Delaney also made reference to Dale Cregan who killed two police officers in gun and grenade ambush in Greater Manchester in 2012, Birmingham Crown Court heard.
Police had been looking for him after he and another man carried out a “revenge” slashing attack on a man in a pub.
Delaney, 49, of Newstead Road, Kingstanding, admitted wounding with intent and making a threat to kill. He was jailed for five years. Antonie Muller, prosecuting, said Delaney had known the victim of the slashing attack for about 10 years. He believed that the victim knew the whereabouts of a man who had been sentenced for a serious sexual assault who Delaney wanted to find. There had been a number of confrontations in the past, with the 72-year-old victim refusing to divulge what he knew and matters culminated on August 22 last year.
Delaney with an accomplice had gone into the Sportsman Rest in Cooksey Lane, Kingstanding, where the pensioner, who was “targeted,” was drinking with friends.
There was then a confrontation between the defendant and the man which resulted in Delaney leaning forward and headbutting him.
The victim recoiled and fell backwards and was slashed across the top and back of his head from behind by the accomplice in a “cowardly” attack. Both men fled from the pub
I will smoke you and pull the pin out. I am going to blow you up. I am a dangerous geezer Jason Delaney
and police began inquiries to try and find them.
Mr Muller said an officer had gone
to the outside of Delaney’s home and was then handed a phone by his daughter.
Delaney told the officer that he had a hand grenade and said “I will smoke you and pull the pin out. I am going to blow you all up.”
He then made the reference to Dale Cregan and went on: “I am a dangerous geezer.
“I am dying and have nothing to lose.
“I am going to spray you.” Mr Muller said: “Having heard of a live hand grenade and a sub machine gun, a firearms team were called to effect the arrest of the defendant that resulted in a siege at his house lasting several hours.
“A road had to be closed.
“When he did come out he was not armed.”
In a statement, the pensioner, who was left with an eight-inch gash to his head, said his mental health had deteriorated.
Amrisha Parathalingam, defending, said Delaney was remorseful.