Man had knife as he ran through Wrexham town centre
A 21-year-old vulnerable Wrexham man self-harmed with a knife after losing £100 on gaming machines, a judge was told.
James Fowler ran through the town centre of Wrexham clutching a bread knife pursued by police, his arm bloodied.
He pleaded guilty to having two knives – the other a four-inch lock knife in his pocket – and to affray but Judge Huw Rees showed mercy at Caernarfon Crown Court and gave him a year’s jail sentence which was suspended for 18 months.
He was ordered to carry out 150 hours unpaid work and rehabilitation activity of 20 days “to address the gambling problem.”
Judge Rees said the probation service should also offer help for his mental health.
Ember-Jade Wong, prosecuting, said that at 10.15am on November 3 a man had seen Fowler, of Mold Road, Cefv y Bedd, Wrexham, sitting on a bench holding a knife, bleeding from cuts on his left arm.
A 999 call was made and Fowler ran off towards the town centre, two police officers in pursuit.
Maria Masellis, defending, said there had been no desire to injure anyone and the second knife had not been produced.
“He’s a vulnerable young man with particular difficulties,” she added.
