Man in police stand-off jailed 22 months

A man, who made threats to kill himself, was involved in a police stand-off at a Fakenham address, a court heard.

Michael Acton, 22, was upset after splitting from his former partner, and police were called after he broke into her address, while she was at home, and he then made threats and jabbed himself with a six-inch bladed knife, Norwich Crown Court heard.

Andrea Lock, prosecuting, said five police officers attended after a neighbour, who tried to help, phoned police, and when they entered the property Acton was found hiding under a bed.

She said Acton became violent, biting one officer on the hand. He also made threats to a female officer, digging his nails into her wrist and he also tried to resist being handcuffed.

Ms Lock said in the end, the five officers managed to restrain him, but an ambulance also had to be called, after he complained about chest pains.

She said during the incident Acton caused damage to the property, including smashing a wall with his fist and throwing a cleaner down the stairs.

Ms Lock said Acton had a number of previous convictions, mainly for dishonesty, and had been subject to an anti-social behaviour order, in 2012.

Acton, formerly of Mervyn King Close, Fakenham, admitted affray January 2, this year, and was jailed for 22 months.

Sentencing him, Judge Katharine Moore said it must have been frightening for his former partner for him to have come uninvited into her home, and he had armed himself with a knife.

'It must have been extremely concerning for all who saw it.'

She said although he threatened to hurt himself she added: 'No one could know what might happen next.'

Danielle O'Donovan, for Acton, said he was 'upset and distressed' over the break-up with his partner and said: 'This is simply a case where a man and woman have broken up and the man has not been able to accept that.'

She said that Acton suffered from anxiety and depression.

She said he put his time on remand to good use and attended an anger management course.