Man had knife in street as ‘cry for help’
A MAN caught with a knife in the street for a second time said that it was a cry for help.
Police attended at Slaithwaite Road in Thornhill Lees, Dewsbury, and found the five inch bladed weapon in Christopher Benson’s pocket.
The 33-year-old dialled 999 himself and said he needed help. He now faces custody as he has an identical offence on his record.
Kirklees magistrates were told that police were initially called to a house in Liversedge shortly after 1.30am on July 7.
Rebecca Dunford, prosecuting, said: “There were concerns for a male threatening to self-harm.
“Officers located the defendant and subsequently took him to his father’s address in the Dewsbury area.”
A short time late another 999 call was received, this time from Benson, who said he was going to hurt himself.
Miss Dunford said: “Police found him on Slaithwaite Road and he told them he had a knife in his pocket.
“A five inch kitchen knife was recovered by an officer and he was arrested.”
Benson, of Frederick Street in Liversedge, pleaded guilty to possession of a knife in public.
He committed the offence while subject to prison licence conditions, having recently been released from a custodial sentence.
The Huddersfield court was told that he has an identical offence on his record dating back to March 2016.
Miss Dunford said: “The circumstances are similar. It was his ex-partner who called police and he was in the street with a knife.
“He says he wants help but it’s a knife in the street so the Crown do have to proceed in the public interest.”
Rachel Smith, mitigating, said: “This is clearly Mr Benson crying out for help.
“He called police and has voluntarily surrendered the knife.”
Because it is Benson’s second knife offence he faces being jailed for at least six months. But Miss Smith told magistrates: “This is a case where it’s unjustified to activate the six month minimum.”
Magistrates agreed to adjourn the case for a full pre-sentence report and so that a psychiatric report can be obtained.