Prison officer grabbed knife from Sleaford man outside her home

A man carrying a bread knife '˜for his own security' was tackled and disarmed by a prison officer on her own driveway.
Grantham Magistrates' CourtGrantham Magistrates' Court
Grantham Magistrates' Court

Matthew John Harrison, 41, of Sycamore Drive, Sleaford, admitted possessing a knife blade in a public space on April 17, when he appeared before Grantham Magistrates Court yesterday (Monday).

Prosecuting, Daniel Pietryka said Harrison was in Derwent Road in Grantham at 7pm. He was seen entering a driveway and the householder came out to challenge him.

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He shouted, “I have a knife” twice. The woman, a serving prison officer, saw the handle of the bread knife sticking out of Harrison’s waistband and she took it from him.

Mr Pietryka said Harrison was shouting to warn people he had a knife so they would not hurt themselves.

Simon Cobb, defending, said Harrison was ‘foolishly’ carrying the knife for his own protection.

Mr Cobb said Harrison’s partner had got into debt and was being ‘pursued vigorously’. He said: “They have seen him and followed him in a car. He ran into a garden to hide and the occupant of that address challenged him. He has not taken the knife out of his waistband and he has warned them, not as a threat, but as a warning not to injure themselves.”

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Mr Cobb said Harrison was not in a public place at the time, although the charge was possessing a knife in a public place. He said the issue was whether this was a dangerous circumstance. He said: “He has not drawn the knife and it has been taken off him.”

Magistrates decided to adjourn the case until May 23 for a report. They granted Harrison unconditional bail.