A Blackpool man who was arrested on Easter Sunday has admitted sending a message that was grossly offensive after he said police would “die tonight”.
Matthew Keen appeared before Carlisle’s magistrates’ court today and pleaded guilty to sending a message that was grossly offensive/indecent/obscene or of a menacing character.
Andy Travis, prosecuting, told the court how the 31-year-old informed police in Carlisle that he had travelled from Blackpool to report an offence and was told he must inform Blackpool police.
He was taken to Carlisle railway station to return home to Reads Avenue, Blackpool. He also pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon, a hammer and a black-handled knife with a fixed serrated edge, these were found after a police search outside the railway station.
Magistrates were told he had made threatening 999 calls to Cumbria police saying he would “stab them and slice them up” and he also made threats to call handlers saying they would die tonight.
He made eight phone calls in a short period of time. The court was told Keen said to police he had the hammer and knife for his own protection, as people in Blackpool were “after him”, and he came to Carlisle because he thought if he went to his local police those “after him” would find out.
He has 11 previous convictions for 26 offences. It was also mentioned that he had travelled from Lancashire during the COVID restrictions and that he has mental health issues.
Jeff Smith, defending, said his client felt he was in significant danger while in Blackpool and that he suffers from schizophrenia and had stopped taking his medication.
After a lengthy deliberation, the magistrates released Keen on conditional bail requiring him to live and sleep at his home address.
He was also ordered not to call 999 or 101 unless there is a genuine emergency and not to enter Cumbria.
He will next appear for sentencing on April 27 at Blackpool Magistrates’ Court.
