A man cycled to RAF Valley with a knife and an axe after threatening to stab a security guard. David Mottershead said if he did so “people would have to listen” to what he had to say, a court heard.
Mottershead had phoned the guardroom at the Anglesey airbase before delivering a “rambling” speech during which he spoke about conspiracy theories, a biological attack on the UK and an “uprising” in the country.
He was later arrested near the airbase and found to have a knife and an axe in his possession, reports WalesOnline.
Caernarfon Crown Court was told the defendant has complex psychiatric disorders which lay behind the offending.
The court was told that the incident took place on March 25 last year and began with the defendant making the phone call. During the course of the call, Mottershead spoke about conspiracy theories, the threat of biological or chemical weapons, war, and a forthcoming “uprising” in British society.
The court was told he then made threats to turn up at the base and stab a security guard so he would be shot and arrested and “people would have to listen” to what he was saying.
The defendant then cycled to the base and was arrested nearby. He was searched and was found to be carrying a knife and an axe.
Mottershead, aged 45, of Bodffordd, Llangefni, was subsequently found to be unfit to enter a plea, and a trial was held to determine whether he committed the acts.
A jury found he had made the call and had been in possession of a knife and axe. The court was told the defendant has previous convictions for offences involving the possession of weapons.
The defendant’s sentencing hearing heard psychiatric evidence about Mottershead’s “severe and complex mental health disorder” which includes emotionally unstable personality disorder and complex post-traumatic stress disorder.
He is currently being treated at a private mental health hospital in Rhyl.
Judge Timothy Petts said it was clear from what he had read about the defendant that Mottershead has a “long and complex psychiatric history” and that he had been experiencing a “significant psychiatric disturbance” when the incident took place.
He said he had read about the progress the defendant had been making while at hospital, and said it was in the best interests of both the defendant and society at large that the treatment continues.
Mottershead was made subject to a s37 hospital order under the Mental Health Act with a s41 restriction order. The judge told the defendant the restriction order was necessary to protect the public but told him he hoped he would be deemed well enough to be released back into the community under appropriate supervision “sooner rather than later”.
Source – North Wales live
