A MAN who set fire to his partner’s car later appeared outside his home brandishing two knives and rushed at police officers.
Robert Spruce, 47, was overpowered when police were able to use incapacitant spray on him and handcuffed him while he was on the floor.
Spruce, of Pentre Gwyn in Wrexham, admitted an affray charge following the incident at 3am on June 14 at his home.
He was given a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to remain indoors on a 7pm to 7am curfew for the next six months, and pay £100 prosecution costs.
Prosecutor Karen Mullin told Mold Crown Court how police were called to the address and found the fire service were already there, dealing with a car which had been set on fire.
Spruce admitted he had set fire to the car and said: “I pay for it. It’s in her name but I own it. It’s better to set the car on fire than hit her.”
Later he was inside the house and refused to open the door, he was abusive and then appeared at the door carrying two large knives, one in each hand.
He was waving them in the air, shouting and swearing at the police and at one stage rushed towards an officer.
Spruce returned still holding the knives, then reappeared at the door asking what he had done wrong?
It was then officers managed to overpower him with incapacitant and handcuffed him while he was on the floor.
The judge, Mr Recorder Craven, said his actions were “frightening and irresponsible in the extreme”.
Henry Gow, defending, said his client had no intention to harm anyone.
It was accepted it was a serious and frightening incident which passed the custody threshold, but Mr Gow suggested a suspended prison sentence would be a constructive way of dealing with him.
