A troubled former soldier who hinted he would attempt suicide by cop as he harassed a firearms officer who had earlier caught him driving without a front number plate has been sentenced by a judge.
Carlisle Crown Court heard the origins of Aaron Briggs’ offending dated back to November, 2021.
A police constable had approached Briggs after seeing his vehicle had no front registration plate. Briggs became aggressive, lashing out at the PC and was later handed a community order by magistrates for the motoring offence and police assault.
“There then began a series of incidents targeting (the officer) when he was either on of off-duty,” prosecutor Kim Whittlestone told the court.
The PC was asked to leave a West Cumbrian bar for no reason on the instruction of Briggs, a door supervisor.
In early March this year as Briggs sent messages to friends of the officer and directly to him.
To one friend, Briggs indicted he would meet the officer outside Workington fire station and that the defendant was going to be shot by the PC,” said Miss Whittlestone.
Photographs were taken of the officer’s address and Briggs told his partner he was going to end things, that he wanted the PC to shoot him and made reference to suicide by cop.
Briggs, of Newlands Lane, South, Workington, was arrested and today admitted an offence of harassment.
His criminal conduct had prompted the officer to surrender his firearms licence for around six weeks, the court heard.
He had also made a victim impact statement in which he described how members of his family were also affected.
Brendan Burke, giving mitigation for Briggs, spoke of a bizarre fixation for that short period after his medical discharge from the army, of mental health issues and an abrupt change of medication.
But while remanded in custody his situation had improved, him now being lucid, rational, reflective of his behaviour.
Judge Nicholas Barker, passing sentence, said of the officer: “It is clear and understandable to see why he was distressed because of the irrational and erratic conduct.”
Judge Barker imposed a two-year community order comprising rehabilitation work, 120 hours’ community service and a 28-day electronically monitored night time curfew. Briggs was also banned from contacting the officer for five years.
