A man was caught trying to get into Albert Hall at 4am armed with a ‘small knife’ before going on the run for over FOUR years.
Paul Fielding, now 32, was confronted by a security guard who had seen him and another man trying to get into the back of the venue in the city centre. As they attempted to talk her into letting them into the building, he produced a small blade and held it to his chest.
The police were called and spotted him walking away whilst dropping the ‘knife’. He was arrested and charged before being bailed to attend court a month later.
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Manchester Crown Court heard that he never turned up, and was unlawfully at large until March this year.
After finally being brought to justice, Fielding was handed a suspended sentence of imprisonment after pleading guilty to possession of an offensive weapon and failure to attend court.
Suzanne Payne, prosecuting, said that a female security guard, working at the Albert Hall on Peter Street on November 17 2018, had her attention drawn to the back of the venue at 4.15am following reports that two males were attempting to climb over the fencing.
On arrival, one of the men tried to get access to the venue by talking to her, but she refused them entry. Despite numerous attempts by the men to get into the venue, she continued to refuse them access.
“Then, she said, the defendant got a small blade from his person and held it close to his chest. The police were quickly called and both men walked away,” she said.
“The attending officer followed the defendant, and as he caught up with him, he saw him drop a small silver object.”
The officer arrested Fielding, then 28, who attempted to resist but was taken to the floor and detained. He was charged later that day and bailed to attend at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on December 12.
However, he didn’t attend, with his solicitors explaining he had been in a traffic accident, and the case was adjourned to December 20.
But on December 20 he failed to attend and a warrant was issued for his arrest. It wasn’t until March 6 this year that he was hauled before the courts after finally being arrested.
Fielding was said to have eight previous convictions for 26 offences including possession with intent to supply drugs, possession of a prohibited firearm and failing to surrender to custody. He was on licence for other matters at the time of offending, the court heard.
Rhia Abukhalil, mitigating, said there had been ‘quite a substantial delay’.
“The court will have read the presentence report which shows his reasons for absconding. At the time of offending his mother was unwell with cancer,” she said.
“She had since been treated for that, and his daughter was just a few months old at the time. He knew he would be recalled. He did actively make the decision to remain at large for that length of time.”
Ms Abukhalil said her client was remorseful and said he was motivated to move on and ‘stay clean’.
Sentencing, Recorder Nicholas Fewtrell said: “The seriousness of these offending clearly passes the custodial threshold, and it is important for the court to send out a clear message that carrying knives and then remaining at large - such behaviour will not be tolerated and can only be acknowledged by a sentence of imprisonment."
He told Fielding, of Sunbury Drive, Newton Heath, that he was giving him a ‘chance’, and sentenced him to nine months imprisonment which was suspended for two years. He must also carry out 150 hours unpaid work and complete 40 days of rehabilitation activity requirements.
Reserving any breaches of the order to him, Recorder Fewtrell said: “I hope I don’t see you again.”
“Me too - see you,” Fielding replied as he left the room.
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