A man who previously witnessed somebody being killed with a knife then drunkenly brandished one at members of the public.
Michael Binsteed appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday after pleading guilty to one count of affray, one count of possessing a bladed article in a public place, one count of possession of an offensive weapon, and a final count of common assault. Zahra Baqri, prosecuting, told the court the 33-year-old defendant and his ex-partner had been in a relationship for around three and a half years, but that ended after it had become “toxic”.
On February 18 of this year, Binsteed asked his mum to drive him to a Parr conservative and workingmans club in St Helens where the victim was out with her friends, which “was unusual for her”. Ms Baqri highlighted that Binsteed was jealous about this, and called the victim before screaming at her down the phone.
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She said once Binsteed, who had been drinking, and his mum arrived outside the social club, he tried to get the victim into the car. Members of the public came to her assistance, and it was around that time the knife was produced.
Ms Baqri said: “The knife was pointed at the victim and at other members of the public. Mr Binsteed said he would ‘stab them up’.”
His mum was still present and managed to get the knife out of his possession, before putting the 15cm weapon into the glove box in her car. Police attended at around 11.30pm and witnesses saw Binsteed threatening people with the knife and told police that he pushed the victim to the ground.
Binsteed was sat in the car when police arrived, and during his arrest, he was aggressive, calling people “rats and s**gs”. A knuckle duster was found in the car in the door where he had been sitting, and he had been heard saying “I was going to rock up and cause s**t”.
The following day, Binsteed, of Scotchbarn Lane, Prescott, was interviewed and answered no comment to all questions. He has one previous conviction for a dissimilar offence, in 2009.
Peter White, defending said: “He has shown genuine remorse by virtue of his guilty pleas. “He is genuinely utterly disgusted and ashamed by his behaviour.
“He is a gentleman aged 33 who knows the dangers of knife crime. There was a homicide, for which nobody was prosecuted, which involved a knife in St Helens which he unfortunately witnessed, he was no way involved but he understands the dangers of knife crime."
District Judge Gwyn Jones interjected: “It did not deter him though”. Mr White continued, stating that Binsteed cares for his mum who has health issues, and since being remanded into custody, he has become a mentor.
In sentencing, District Judge Jones said: “Any member of the public, or your partner or indeed your mother, who has seen you producing that knife whilst in drink would be very fearful for their personal safety.”
Binsteed was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment suspended for 24 months, and ordered to complete 15 rehabilitation activity days. He was told to complete the building better relationships programme, and pay £200 towards prosecution costs and a £187 victim surcharge.
He will also be subject to an alcohol monitoring programme for 120 days, and a curfew for 24 weeks.
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