A man who took a large kitchen knife with him on a fishing trip to Wales became abusive at a railway station and told terrified people: "I'm going to kill you all."
A court was told Adam Bradburn, 30, who was drunk and has mental health problems, had travelled from his home in Wigan to North Wales with his partner and nephew to go fishing in Prestatyn. He was arrested in his fishing gear and the kitchen knife, the court heard, was for use at a beach barbecue.
Llandudno magistrates' court heard Bradburn, of Masefield Drive, Wigan, fell out with his partner at the beach and made his way to Prestatyn railway station car park. Police were called and he was arrested later near a pub after officers found the knife in his bag.
Bradburn's solicitor, however, said he never intended to harm anyone with it, reports North Wales Live.
Prosecutor, Justin Espie, said on August 27 this year, Bradburn shouted, swore and used threatening behaviour at the station - at one point telling people there: "I'm going to kill you all." Security staff intervened and when Bradburn left, they followed him to a pub. Security staff there then noticed he was carrying a knife.
The court heard police were called and officers arrived. They stopped and searched him, and found the large kitchen knife. Mr Espie said he was 'heavily intoxicated, upset and emotional'. Bradburn was taken to police headquarters in St Asaph, where his behaviour was 'erratic'. The court heard he headbutted a window in a holding room, causing it to crack.
Sharley Potter, defending, said her client had gone to North Wales to fish. She said: "Unfortunately, within (the) bag was a knife. He was planning to use it for a barbecue on the beach."
Ms Potter said Bradburn had mental health problems, had been tested for schizophrenia and had just lost his grandfather. She added: "He never had any intention to harm anybody else but himself."
The court heard a probation officer interviewed Bradburn and said he accepted that 'anybody who saw him drunk would have been concerned and frightened'. He also accepted that his behaviour at the police station was unacceptable. He had previously spent time in a mental health unit in his local area.
Bradburn pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article in a public place, using threatening behaviour and causing criminal damage. Magistrates gave him a 26-week jail term, suspended for 18 months for possession of the bladed article. For causing criminal damage, he was given a four-week jail term to run concurrently, which was also suspended for 18 months. There was no separate penalty for using threatening words or behaviour.
He was ordered to pay North Wales Police £200 in compensation for the damaged window and £85 court costs. He must also go on a six-month alcohol treatment programme and do 10 days of rehabilitation activity.
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