Ex-soldier jailed for threats to kill in 'terrifying' incident

A court heard how defendant Sean Kerry Cook, 50, made threats to kill in December when possessing a firearm.

On Friday at Mold Crown Court, Cook, of Pen-y-Gaer, Brooks, near Welshpool, was jailed for three years, and then began threatening to go on hunger strike.

On top of threats to kill, he admitted possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, and two charges of common assault.

Cook, a father of seven, was made subject to a 10-year restraining order not to approach his victims or go to their home address.

Judge Niclas Parry said the incident on December 8 had been terrifying one for the victims and had lasted a considerable time.

Cook had overreacted to a minor issue because he was drunk, he said.

The judge told the court that Cook had claimed to live by the Bible, and was quoting scriptures to justify his actions of making threats to kill with a loaded air rifle.

The court heard how during the incident, a witness rang a minister of religion, however the defendant would not listen to him.

Police received whispered messages about what was going on during the incident, however because of the snow, it took some time for officers to get to the scene.

Officers arrived at the scene and it took 45 minutes to persuade Cook to come out.

A loaded air rifle and pellets were recovered and there was evidence that it had been used, said prosecuting barrister Frances Willmott.

John Hedgecoe, defending, said that his client had made immediate admissions to what was an extremely serious set of offences.

Cook was now threatening to go on hunger strike and starve following his sentence, he said.

Following the conviction, Dyfed-Powys Police said they were continuing to support the victims after a "terrifying incident".