A man turned up at Blacon Police Station with a fishing knife and a 15-inch sharpened stick asking for help because he intended to ‘stab the first person he saw’ following a row with his wife last month.

Steven Wharf, of Stamford Road in Blacon, was handed an eight-week suspended sentence at a hearing at Chester Magistrates Court on Thursday (February 25), after earlier pleading guilty to two counts of possessing a knife blade or sharp pointed article in a public place.

The court heard that the 50-year-old rang the buzzer at the police station shortly after midnight on January 20, requesting help.

Rob Youds, prosecuting, said Wharf admitted to officers that he had two weapons on him and was arrested.

“He said he intended to use them to stab the first person he saw because he was angry after an argument with his wife,” Mr Youds told magistrates.

Mental health issues

Becky Hay, defending, described her client as a ‘gentleman who does have some mental health difficulties’ and explained that he suffers from flashbacks following a brutal attack some years ago.

She said: “He is a gentleman who clearly has some issues and suffers from anxiety and depression.

“It is believed that he may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder after he was stabbed and nearly lost his life.

“Unfortunately, on the night in question, this incident stemmed from an argument with his wife.

“Whilst there was some thought in his mind that he was going to use them, he sought the assistance of the police and did not cause any harm.”

Magistrates ordered Wharf to pay £85 in costs and an £80 victim surcharge, and granted a destruction order for the knife and stick.