A Rock Ferry man who armed himself with knives after seeing his ex- girlfriend with another man has been jailed

Oct 29 2008 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

A ROCK Ferry man who armed himself with knives after seeing his former girlfriend with another man has been put behind bars for 20 months.

Judge David Swift told 20-year-old John Henderson: “There is considerable public concern about knives on the street. There is a clear need to discourage this type of offending.”

Henderson, of Bedford Road, pleaded guilty to three specimen offences of possessing knives in a public place and breaching a restraining order.

Simon Duncan, prosecuting, told Liverpool Crown Court that Henderson had difficulty accepting the break-up of his relationship with Deryn Hanmer and on June 20 magistrates made a restraining order banning him from going near her home.

But on September 19 he went to her address and was shouting, but went away quietly when asked to do so.

However, half-an-hour later, police were called to Bedford Road, where Miss Hanmer and a man had gone to a pub, following reports of a man with knives.

On seeing the officers Henderson threw them away but was caught and arrested.

He admitted taking six kitchen knives out of his home although only four were found.