'I was just doing my duty' police officer tells court as man sentenced for threats to kill
A Shropshire man who threatened to kill a police officer and was found to be in possession of an illegal air rifle, has been spared jail.
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Stephen Vernal of Blacksmith Lane, Stanton upon Hine Heath, near Shawbury, had a “history of harassing and sending abusive phone calls to public servants” ahead of the incident in August last year, a court heard.
The 40-year-old had denied threatening to kill the male officer on June 1, 2021 at his home while the officer was attending for another matter.
A day later police officers found Vernal to be in possession of an illegal air rifle after he had been banned from owning one.
He denied both charges but a jury in July found him guilty of both offences following a two-day trial.
