Jail for man in knife terror
Thursday, 16th August 2001.
CHILDREN were terrified when a man burst into a house brandishing a knife, a court heard.
Haverhill man Morgan Smith, 29, believed an occupant had offered heroin to his young relative, Ipswich Crown Court heard.
Smith, of Chalkstone Way, admitted a charge of affray and was jailed for eight months.
A charge of aggravated burglary had earlier been dropped by the prosecution.
Jude Durr, prosecuting, said on April 22, at about 9pm, Smith knocked on the front door of Josephine Holland’s home on Wellington Terrace, Haverhill.
When Mrs Holland opened the door, an agitaed Smith barged past her and began shouting, he said.
Smith demanded to see Mrs Holland’s 18-yer-old son Lee, treating to "slit his throat".
As Mrs Holland tried to usher him out of the ouse, Smith grabbed her by her top and pulled her towards him, before producing a knife.
One of the children in the house began screaming and Mrs Holland shouted for an older child to call the police.
Smith went upstairs and then returned downstairs. Still holding the knife, Smith told her she was lucky not to have "got it", the court was told.
He then left the house and police later arrested him at his home.
Mr Durr said Smith had convictions going back to 1990, but none for violence.
Alan Crompton, defending said it was entirely out of character for Smith, who has gone looking for Lee Holland in belief he had offered heroin to a young relative.
He said: "The intention was to scare Lee Holland away. He didn’t intend to do anything. He has had a lot to drink."
Commenting on Smith’s personal circumstances, Mr Crompton said: "His daughter was born yesterday. It was not an easy birth for his partner. He is desperate to get out and start providing for his daughter.
Mr Durr, responding to the allegations about Lee Holland and heroin said: "The police are satisfied there is absolutely no evidence for him being either a user or a dealer."
Haverhill man Morgan Smith, 29, believed an occupant had offered heroin to his young relative, Ipswich Crown Court heard.
Smith, of Chalkstone Way, admitted a charge of affray and was jailed for eight months.
A charge of aggravated burglary had earlier been dropped by the prosecution.
Jude Durr, prosecuting, said on April 22, at about 9pm, Smith knocked on the front door of Josephine Holland’s home on Wellington Terrace, Haverhill.
When Mrs Holland opened the door, an agitaed Smith barged past her and began shouting, he said.
Smith demanded to see Mrs Holland’s 18-yer-old son Lee, treating to "slit his throat".
As Mrs Holland tried to usher him out of the ouse, Smith grabbed her by her top and pulled her towards him, before producing a knife.
One of the children in the house began screaming and Mrs Holland shouted for an older child to call the police.
Smith went upstairs and then returned downstairs. Still holding the knife, Smith told her she was lucky not to have "got it", the court was told.
He then left the house and police later arrested him at his home.
Mr Durr said Smith had convictions going back to 1990, but none for violence.
Alan Crompton, defending said it was entirely out of character for Smith, who has gone looking for Lee Holland in belief he had offered heroin to a young relative.
He said: "The intention was to scare Lee Holland away. He didn’t intend to do anything. He has had a lot to drink."
Commenting on Smith’s personal circumstances, Mr Crompton said: "His daughter was born yesterday. It was not an easy birth for his partner. He is desperate to get out and start providing for his daughter.
Mr Durr, responding to the allegations about Lee Holland and heroin said: "The police are satisfied there is absolutely no evidence for him being either a user or a dealer."
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