Preston man burst into home with knife as child slept upstairs, then told shocked onlookers: " I don't want to hurt you"

A man who mistakenly barged into five-year-old's home at 5am with a hunting knife has been jailed for six months.
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Callum Wayne Bennett, 21, of Alice Square, Preston, told the occupants of the property he "didn't want to hurt them" before bursting into tears, Preston Crown Court was told.

He admitted possessing a bladed article - his second such offence - which meant he is subject to mandatory knife crime sentencing laws that stipulate a minimum of six months in prison.

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Prosecuting, Arthur Gibson said on December 13, 2020, the homeowner, who was mourning the loss of his brother, was at his flat on Aberdeen Close in Preston and had been drinking with friends.

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Crown Court

His partner and daughter had gone to bed but he and his friends were talking in the kitchen when Bennett suddenly barged in.

He added: "Shortly after 5am the kitchen door flung open and the defendant burst in. He wasn't known to any of the people there.

"They jumped up and pushed him and held him against the wall.

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"He didn't resist but at that point they noticed he was holding a knife in his hand."

The court heard one of the occupants was able to take the knife from him.

Mr Gibson said: " He didn't object but he then started to say he was sorry and spoke of his girlfriend being next door.

"He said: 'I don't want to hurt you I just want to hurt them thats with my girlfriend next door.'

"He sat down and started to cry."

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The defendant's girlfriend later told officers he routinely carried a knife and that she felt he wasn't a threat to her.

Defending, Daniel Harman said Bennett was suffering from mental health issues but was hoping to gain employment setting up stages for festivals.

Recorder Michael Maher, sentencing, said: "We've heard in the early hours of that day you barged your way in.

"You were effectively a stranger to them.

"Despite your abrupt entry they did not regard you as threatening, but they saw you were holding a very nasty looking knife

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"You immediately apologised and reassured them you didn't want to hurt them. You said: 'I just want to hurt them thats with my girlfriend next door" and then you began to cry.

"You deny those comments, you say you simply don't remember and they were ramblings.

"You have a previous conviction for possessing of a Stanley knife and because of that are subject to minimum sentencing provisions."

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