A dad threatened to stab a man in the throat and lunged at him with a kitchen knife after claiming threats were made against his family.
Reece Watson took a bus journey to the man's County Durham home while armed with a 12-inch knife and began threatening to kill him in front of terrified neighbours. The 30-year-old also "lunged" at the man with the knife, and only missed stabbing him after the front door was slammed shut. Watson claimed to have carried out the offence because the victim had made violent threats against his partner and children, Durham Crown Court heard.
Watson, of Mount Pleasant, Stanley, appeared at the court on Thursday to be sentenced for making threats to kill and possession of a knife. He pleaded guilty on the basis that he believed the victim may have been in possession of a gun.
Chris Baker, prosecuting, said the background to the incident involved Watson entering into a relationship with a woman who had previously been in a relationship with the victim. Then, on May 21 this year, a number of "abusive messages" were sent between Watson and the man, before Watson suggested they meet up in Willington. The next day, people turned up to Watson's home who he believed were sent by the victim. He then travelled to the victim's home armed with the knife.
Mr Baker said: "The complainant heard banging on his front door and the defendant was there. He pulled out a 12-inch kitchen knife and asked, 'why have you sent people to my house? I'm going to kill you'. The complainant said he had not sent anyone before Watson lunged at him with the knife. He (the complainant) believed he would have got him in the ribs near to his heart, however he slammed the door to prevent himself being stabbed."
Watson went on to "strike the door a number of times" with the knife and was witnessed by "terrified" neighbours and passers-by. Watson also struck the victim's car before disposing of the knife and walking away. He was later arrested after being found by police hiding behind a shed and the dog section found his knife nearby.
In interview, Watson, who had 10 previous convictions for 25 offences, admitted he had a knife and accepted that he was going to "stab him in the throat" after claiming threats had been made to his family. Mr Baker said: "The defendant told police he did not make false threats and was going to kill him so he shouldn't have threatened his children."
Brian Mark, defending, said it was a "disgraceful situation and offence" but said threats had been made concerning Watson's family and that he believed the victim had guns. He said: "That does not excuse what he did, but does in some way mitigate what happened. He has pleaded guilty, he is remorseful and will never ever contact that man again." Mr Mark added: "He apologises to the gentleman involved and the court, he was angry at the time."
Sentencing Watson, Judge James Adkin said: "You were clearly angry by threats made to you and your family and text messages were exchanged. You referred to yourself as a 'real man' and there was an element of revenge. You armed yourself with a knife and travelled by bus to the man's home where you shouted and screamed, 'I'll show you what I can do, come out here, I'll kill you'".
Judge Adkin added: "You lunged at him with the knife and later told police he was a grass and said, 'talk about my kids and I'll stab him in the f****** throat'". Watson was jailed for 30 months and made subject of a 10 year restraining order.
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