A gravely ill Penrith man brandished knives at police in his house and bit one officer during a mental health episode after he was reported missing.
PCs were called to the town address on May 5 2021, when they spoke to John Bidgood’s wife and family.
Bidgood, 48, had left at around 2.30pm. He was angry, upset and mentioned being found off a bridge or under a truck.
Police carefully recorded information, including details of a road traffic collision 14 years earlier which left him with a catastrophic head injury, Carlisle Crown Court heard.
As officers took details, Bidgood returned. He appeared puzzled by police presence, was aggressive and obstructive, despite his wife’s attempts to calm him.
He disagreed with a police high risk grading assessment and made bizarre comments before heading to the kitchen, where he was heard rummaging through a cutlery drawer.
“In his hands were two large kitchen knives which he was holding towards the officers,” said prosecutor Gerard Rogerson. “They were clearly alarmed by this behaviour.”
Bidgood goaded an officer to use a drawn Taser, saying ‘do it’. This made contact with a leather belt and was unsuccessful but incapacitant spray was deployed as he still held the knives.
Bidgood’s behaviour ranged from calm to irate and aggressive. He appeared woozy and when more police arrived he bit one PC on the forearm through clothing, causing reddening but no skin break.
Bidgood, of Holyoake Terrace, was arrested and interviewed. “He said it wasn’t his intention to threaten them or cause them to fear violence,” said Mr Rogerson. He couldn’t remember the bite.”
After admitting charges of affray and police assault, Bidgood was sentenced by a judge today.
Andrew Gurney, defending, said Bidgood was a gravely unwell man following the road crash with the impact felt by all the family. “It is quite clear Mr Bidgood was suffering from a mental health episode on this date,” said Mr Gurney.
Recorder Kate Bex QC imposed a 12-month community order comprising rehabilitation and a £150 fine, hearing Bidgood also used alcohol on the day of his offending.
“The circumstances are unusual and are very sad,” said the judge. “I have no doubt that the root of all this behaviour was your head injury.”
