Man jailed after showing off weapons on night out

A man who brandished knives, a dart and a pair of scissors during a Saturday night out in Abergavenny has been jailed for 48 weeks.

Darren James, 54, of no fixed abode, alarmed members of the public on Frogmore Street when he openly displayed the weapons to pub staff and people at a nearby kebab shop on the evening of Saturday, July 26 last year.

Concerned onlookers called the police, and officers found James sitting on a bench at around 11.30pm. He was immediately placed in handcuffs but resisted arrest by throwing his arms around, and leg straps had to be used before he was eventually detained.

Criminal history and mental health concerns

Cardiff Crown Court heard that James has 19 previous convictions for 45 offences, though none for similar weapons matters.

The defendant, who has a history of serious mental health problems, pleaded guilty to four counts of possession of a bladed article in a public place.

The court was told that at the time of the offences, James had been drinking and taking drugs and was not taking his medication.

Following his arrest, James was remanded in custody, during which time concerns were raised about his fitness to plead due to his mental health difficulties. He was sectioned at one point during the proceedings.

Sentencing

His offending also placed him in breach of a 12-week suspended prison sentence for driving offences and failing to surrender.

Jeffrey Jones, representing James, told the court his client had no previous convictions for similar matters and was “sorry” for what he had done.

Judge Paul Hobson jailed James for 40 weeks for the four counts of possession of a bladed article and activated part of the suspended sentence, imposing a consecutive term of eight weeks – bringing the total to 48 weeks.

However, having already served the equivalent of a 12-month prison term on remand since last summer, James will be released on licence from custody immediately.

The court ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the weapons.