Thug threatened ex with Bear Grylls knife

A convicted thug who terrorised his ex-partner with a Bear Grylls Gerber Knife after turning up outside her home has been spared jail.
Burnley Magistrates' CourtBurnley Magistrates' Court
Burnley Magistrates' Court

Drunken former engineer Jermaine Dand (35), had told Nicola Grimshaw: “Don’t mess with me” before he pulled the “particularly dangerous” hunting knife from his pocket on Lubbock Street, in Burnley.

“Distressed” Dand, who has a conviction for wounding and two for battery, was about six metres away from his victim, who he is said to still have feelings for, when he produced the frightening weapon, the town’s magistrates were told.

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The defendant, a father-of-two, later told police : “I’m guilty,” when questioned and is said to have told officers he had been hunting earlier and used the blade, which was a locking knife, for cutting ferrets. It was recovered from behind a cushion.

Dand, who can’t work after suffering a heart attack and who is on employment and support allowance, has a drink problem and was said to want help.

The defendant, of Coultate Street, Burnley, admitted using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour and possessing a bladed article, on August 9th. He was given six weeks in prison, suspended for a year, with a 12 -month community order and a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement. He must pay £85 costs and a £115 victim surcharge.

Dand also received a 12-month restraining order, banning him from contacting Nicola Grimshaw and from going onto Lubbock Street.

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Prosecutor Mrs Tracy Yates told the court the victim and the defendant had had a two-year relationship and spilt up nine months ago.

At about 2-30pm, she was at home with her current partner when she received a message from Dand, saying he was going to come round to collect a fish tank. She told him that was their son’s and he could not have it. Minutes later, Miss Grimshaw got another text, telling her “ I will kick your door as you kicked mine. Equal rights.” He then told her: “I am on your street. I want the stuff and I will kick your door in.”

Mrs Yates said the victim saw the defendant about five houses down and he started walking towards her before pulling a knife from his pocket. The prosecutor continued: “She immediately told the defendant the police were on their way. She has gone back into her address and locked the door. She did not see him again after this. She locked both her front and back door.” Mrs Yates continued: “She feels very scared by Mr Dand’s behaviour and no longer wants him to contact her or come to her home address.”

The prosecutor said when the defendant was interviewed, he told police he had let himself down. He said he struggled with drinking, depression and his mental health and he was drunk when he went round. He said he was sorry. The defendant had 19 offences on his record.

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Mrs Yates added: “The weapon was used to threaten. It does seem to be a particularly dangerous weapon. It is used for hunting and he was under the influence of drink at the time of the offences.”

Keith Rennison (defending) said Dand kept ferrets as pets and used the knife for stripping meat off the bone when he fed them.

The solicitor continued: “He didn’t take it out on purpose. He had been looking after the ferrets earlier in the day. He went out the worse the wear for drink. He didn’t realise he had it in his pocket.”

Mr Rennison said: “He still has feelings for this lady. He’s taken it very difficult that the relationship has ended. He’s found it heard to deal with.”

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The solicitor told the court: “He was working, working hard providing for his family until he suffered a heart attack early last year. That meant he could no longer work and regrettably, as people sometimes do, he turned to alcohol as a crutch.”

He accepts that is a problem he has had for a number of years on and off and he accepts that’s an issue he wants to resolve. Since this incident, he has been back to his GP and restarted his mediation for depression and his heart tablets.”

Mr Rennison added: “He is very apologetic and has shown real and genuine remorse in relation to these offences.”

Sentencing, Bench chairman Mr Graham Jagger told Dand: “You caused fear to Miss Grimshaw by producing the lock knife. However, you have an alcohol problem and we recognise you have a heart condition. You also have a good relationship with the two children of the family.”