Wisbech: David Boughen threatened police with knives

David Boughen, of Wisbech, was struggling with his mental health after losing his job as an Iceland delivery driver and took two knives - including a large kitchen one - with him to a park in King's Lynn.

The 39-year-old, who had drunk four beers and was distressed, made a call for help after going to the Wisbech Road park but got through to police rather than a crisis team after making the call.

Norwich Crown Court heard he "indicated he was going to harm himself" prompting police to be dispatched to the area where they found him with two knives in his hands.

Norwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)Lydia Stephens, prosecuting, said an officer approached Boughen asking him to put the weapons down but he was "aggressive" and swore at the officer.

She said Boughen then "approached the officer with both the knives in his hands".

Other officers then arrived on scene and he was "repeatedly" told to drop the weapons but did not and so was tasered by police who then arrested him.

Boughen, of Gooden's Lane, Wisbech, appeared at court having admitted threatening a person with a sharply-pointed article in a public place on November 29 last year.

Before he was sentenced, the court heard a statement from the officer who recalled being told in training it only took a matter of moments for a suicide to become a homicide.

He said it was an "absolutely terrifying experience" which he would "never forget".

Imposing a 46-week prison sentence, suspended for 24 months Recorder Nicola Fitches accepted the offence was "linked in part to your mental health struggles".

Grace McConnell, mitigating, said Boughen, who was suffering a mental health crisis at the time, admitted the offence.

He said he can imagine how scared police officers must have felt and wanted to "apologise for his actions".

Boughen was also given 25 days rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) and a 12-month mental health treatment requirement.