A Whitehaven man who armed himself with a knife and threatened to cut his neighbour’s head off amid an ongoing dispute has been sentenced by a judge.
Carlisle Crown Court heard today how a comment made by Daeker Poland’s neighbour about cannabis use caused him to become “worked up” on the evening of April 16.
Poland, 27, actually called the police himself, saying: “I need someone to come out and arrest me because I’m about to go absolutely mental. I’ve had a knife. I have been tormented all night. I’m getting to the point I’m going to cut his head off.”
It emerged Poland had gone into his address before emerging shortly afterwards through his front living room window having armed himself with a knife.
A bystander heard him say: “I won’t think twice about slitting your necks.” Poland was ushered inside and the knife was later found by police in a broken condition nearby.
He admitted an affray charge on the basis that he acted as he did because an ongoing dispute was causing his wife significant mental health difficulties. The court heard Poland’s offence was “out of character” with positive references describing him as being otherwise loyal and caring.
Judge Richard Archer accepted there was a “background” to the incident as he imposed a 12-month community order which comprised 100 hours unpaid work and a rehabilitation requirement.
“Yes, emotions were running high but there can never be any excuse for threatening anybody with a bladed article, let alone producing that bladed article to underline the threat that is being made,” Judge Archer told Poland, of Gable Road, Whitehaven.
