Men jailed for making threats to kill on Snapchat video

Two men have been jailed for making threats to kill after a video emerged on Snapchat showing a man with a samurai sword.
Screengrab from a video on Snapchat showing Bernet Cochrane, 27, threatening a vulnerable man in a flat in the Staple Hill area of Bristol by brandishing a sword. Photo credit: Avon and Somerset Police/PA WireScreengrab from a video on Snapchat showing Bernet Cochrane, 27, threatening a vulnerable man in a flat in the Staple Hill area of Bristol by brandishing a sword. Photo credit: Avon and Somerset Police/PA Wire
Screengrab from a video on Snapchat showing Bernet Cochrane, 27, threatening a vulnerable man in a flat in the Staple Hill area of Bristol by brandishing a sword. Photo credit: Avon and Somerset Police/PA Wire

Avon and Somerset Police said the video was posted on a profile called 'playbars' on February 7, and was flagged to officers through an anonymous tip-off.

The clip showed Bernet Cochrane, 27, threatening a vulnerable man in a flat in the Staple Hill area of Bristol by brandishing a sword.

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Cochrane then used the weapon to smash a television and another object in the room.

It was captioned: "Bare face don't really give a **** don't get on my wrong side snitch's get stitches dat goes for everyone 2018."

Police said that at the time of the offence, Cochrane was on licence after a conviction for selling class A drugs to undercover officers.

Cochrane, of Fishponds, Bristol, and the man who filmed the clip, Stephon Harris, 23, of Eastville, Bristol, were convicted of making threats to kill following a trial, the force said.

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A spokesman said Recorder Robert Bright QC sentenced Cochrane to three years and four months in prison and jailed Harris for 22 months at Bristol Crown Court on Monday.

Pc Andrew Smetham said: "The victim was a vulnerable man who bought drugs off Bernet Cochrane.

"He'd inadvertently upset him by facilitating a meeting between him and rival drug dealers, which resulted in Cochrane being assaulted.

"Stephon Harris filmed the victim being threatened so a video could be posted on social media.

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"This was effectively a show of force by Cochrane, designed to let other drug dealers know he had access to a weapon and would deal with people who didn't follow his rules.

"The victim, who has a number of serious medical conditions, was terrified and feared for his life.

"Once we received the anonymous tip-off we were able to link Cochrane to the Snapchat profile and recovered a black Moncler jacket during a search of his home which matched the one in the video.

"I hope this sends a strong message to criminals that even if you think you're anonymous on a social media platform, we can still identify you and bring you to justice."