Mentally ill man had to be subdued by police after assaulting PC

Preston Magistrates’ Court heard officers had been called to a house in Ribbleton after defendant had fallen out with his partner and left the property threatening to harm himself.

Prosecuting, Pam Ward said PC Cahill had been asked to attend Aaron Kilpatrick’s home on Chestnut Crescent June 7 after a report he was going to harm himself.

She added: “His partner explained he suffered depression and anxiety, and that they had an argument. He had smashed a mirror on the floor and then left.

“She couldn’t determine whether or not he had left the address with a knife. The officer was in the process of sending her colleague a picture to assist in the search when the defendant returned.”

The court heard she shouted at his partner and was angry the police were there.

The officer tried to speak to him to see if he was all right.

He started throwing pots and pans and a kitchen knife across the kitchen which made the officer concerned and another patrol was called.

The court heard when a second officer, PC Hamilton tried to stop him leaving he pushed her, causing her to fall over a child’s slide.

As he carried on walking away he was subdued with Pava spray.

The 33-year-old admits assaulting a PC and must pay a £40 fine, £30 surcharge and £30 costs.

Defending, Janice Vallance said: “ He was diagnosed last year but he had not been referred to mental health services despite his requests and has really been suffering a lot.”

She added since the incident Mr Kilpatrick, who has no previous convictions, had been referred for the help he needed.

The case comes a week after a senior officer revealed police are looking after mental health patients instead of going out on the beat due to a shortage of psychiatric beds in Lancashire.

In Lancashire around 80 per cent of non crime calls relate to mental health cases.