A MAN who was seen walking around a Flintshire town with a knife trying car doors has been jailed.

Crispian Gatrell, who told the court he is of no fixed abode, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court for sentence on Tuesday.

The 50-year-old, who was previously of Chester Road in Buckley, had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to offences of vehicle interference, assault an emergency worker by beating and possession of a sharp or bladed article in public.

Prosecutor Justin Espie told the court that at around 7.30pm on January 13, police were called regarding a "male acting suspiciously" at Church Road in Buckley.

RECOMMENDED READING

He was seen carrying a knife and had been trying doors on vehicles.

Gatrell had actually gotten inside one of the vehicles when the police arrived and was instructed to show his hands.

He eventually complied and actively resisted as officers arrested him, leading to him being taken to the floor.

Gatrell struck out at one of the officers, making contact with her face.

A knife, matching one a witness had caught the defendant carrying prior to the police arriving, was found in the centre console of the vehicle he'd been in.

The Leader: Crispian Gatrell (NWP)Crispian Gatrell (NWP) (Image: North Wales Police)Elzbeth Kenny, defending, asked the court to consider giving her client a drug rehabilitation requirement and other general rehabilitation work.

She said: "He's kept out of the criminal justice system for six years, which is a tremendous gap in his offending behaviour.

"To nip it in the bud, he needs some aspect of rehabilitation in the community.

"If he gets a community order, probation will be able to liaise with the housing officer in Flint to find him suitable accommodation.

The Leader:

"Regarding the sharp article, the knife was never brandished.

"He'd just been released from Heddfan [Psychiatric Unit], having discharged himself.

"He said he had the knife with him to protect himself from others he'd been victimised by."

The court jailed Gatrell for 26 weeks in total, imposing a victim surcharge of £154 and costs of £85, which he will have to pay on his release.