A MAN who threatened to kill a supermarket security guard did so because he wanted to be arrested and returned to jail, a court heard.
Aaron Jenkins, of no fixed abode, was produced in custody at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Monday morning.
The 36-year-old admitted that on Saturday (July 26) he made a threat to kill at Asda in Holt Road, Wrexham.
Prosecutor Suzanne Cartwright told the court that at around 9.20pm on the day in question, Asda security guard Scott Davies was at the store’s security podium when he saw Jenkins walk in.
The defendant asked to use the toilet and was directed to it.
On his way back out of the store, he turned to Mr Davies and told him his name and that he was on licence.
He told Mr Davies to call the police, otherwise he’d ‘kick off’ and ‘cut’ him, placing his hand into his top and causing the victim to believe he had a knife.
The police were called and Jenkins went outside to wait for officers to arrive.
When they did, he was arrested.
In interview, Jenkins told police he “wanted to guard to fear he was going to kill him,” because he wanted to go “back to prison.”
But he claimed he hadn’t actually had a knife with him that night.
Ms Cartwright told the court Jenkins had 16 previous convictions for 28 offences; 10 of which related to offences against the person.
She told the court that while the offence was ‘limited in scope’ I did cause some distress and was committed on licence against a person providing a public duty.
Euros Jones, defending, told the court: “Mr Jenkins was wanted on recall.
“He had approached police at the police but the had no record of him, so he felt he had no choice but to do something.”
Mr Jones said his client’s reasoning for the offence was that the threat would not cause actual harm to anyone, but would trigger his arrest.
“He waited patiently for the police to come,” he added,” and when they did arrive he was fully compliant.
“Mr Jenkins would like to apologise to the security officer.”
Geoff Bull, chair of the magistrates recognised that the defendant’s behaviour had been to create an “avenue” for him to return to custody, which is what he had wanted.
The defendant was jailed for 15 week and must pay £85 costs, as well as a £154 victim surcharge.
“Nice one,” the defendant said as he was taken out of court and back to the cells by security officers.
Source – Leader Live