A heavily convicted Carlisle man is back behind bars for making a chilling throat cut threat to a city bar worker soon after being released from prison.
Andrew John Jason Bell, now aged 46, has now also been excluded from The Griffin for offending which occurred on Wednesday of this week.
It was around 7.20pm when Bell entered the Court Square premises in a drunken state. He was informed by one member of staff he would not be served, due both to his intoxication and being previously barred.
Bell became abusive and tried to snatch a phone from a female staff member as she called for assistance.
Bell told a male employee “I will come around and get you” and “I should have you right now”, entering that victim’s personal space and prompting him to fear an assault. Bell was prevented from entering the staff area but left a third worker worried after saying: “I will have you, son. I could have cut your throat — I’ve decided not to.”
Bell appeared at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court from custody today and admitted charges of public order, attempted theft and assault.
Kate Hunter, giving mitigation, said Bell accepted his criminal conduct was “stupid” and occurred shortly after his release from a previously imposed prison sentence. “He had drink for the first time in a while and behaved unacceptably,” she said.
Bell, latterly of Shaddongate, didn’t know the victims and would wish his apologies to be passed to them if appropriate, the court heard.
A repeat offender, Bell asked the district judge to impose a community sentence. “I don’t get the help in jail,” he said, indicating that he needed assistance with mental health, housing and addressing his criminal conduct. “I’m just looking for an alternative.”
But John Temperley, the district judge, imposed an 18-week jail term. “I hear what you say,” said the judge. “Committing offences like this so soon after being released from prison, with a record like yours — I’m afraid on this occasion I’m not prepared to consider a community punishment.
“These (offences) are so serious that only an immediate period of imprisonment is appropriate.”
