An uninvited visitor who made a threat to kill a man while holding scissors to his throat has been given an immediate 16-month prison sentence.
Carlisle Crown Court heard today it was just after midnight on January 26 when the Distington householder heard loud banging on the door of his home. He was inside with an associate.
The caller was 21-year-old Jack Lowrey. He was said to be so intoxicated that the householder thought he may be under the influence of drugs as well as alcohol.
Lowrey walked directly into the property. He was noted to have a pair of long-handled scissors in his hand and ranted at the man’s associate.
Prosecutor Tariq Khawam told Carlisle Crown Court today that the householder swore at Lowrey.
“The defendant then held the pair of scissors against (the man’s) throat, threatening him, including that he would kill him,” said Mr Khawam. “Perhaps bravely — or foolishly — he calls his bluff and dares him to do so. A scuffle ensues. There is a clear risk of serious harm. The man succeeds in pushing Mr Lowrey out of the premises.”
Lowrey then used a large rock to smash a window at the man’s house before walking off. When later found by police, scissors were found in his pocket and a large kitchen knife was also discovered tucked into his waistband.
When brought to court, Lowrey admitted four offences — criminal damage, illegally having a blade in public, common assault and threatening another with an offensive weapon in private.
Just six days before the incident, Lowrey, of Coronation Crescent, Distington, had been given a community order in court for a number of previous offences which a judge said amounted to anti-social and aggressive conduct.
The court heard Lowrey’s criminal record began in 2024, and that he had had significant issues with alcohol since May 2023, when his father had been given a long prison sentence.
Lowrey junior was handed a total jail term of 16 months today by Judge Nicholas Barker.
“The man was brave. He resisted your aggression,” said Judge Barker of the victim threatened with scissors. “It is clear to me, Jack Lowrey, that over the past 18 months you have been wholly out of control — something which you recognise now.”
