Man who had to be tasered twice is spared jail

A man who had to be tasered twice after threatening to stab police officers with shards of glass and a kitchen knife has been spared an immediate jail sentence.

Police went to David Bradley's flat after neighbours heard smashing glass.

Warley Magistrates Court was told yesterday that officers were called to his flat in Thame Road, Tipton, on May 30. They could see the window of the Sandwell Homes-owned property had been smashed and there were various items on the floor including a television and stereo.

They could also hear banging and a man shouting and when they looked through the window, they saw broken glass and upturned furniture.

Prosecuting, Sarah Cooper said the defendant picked up a wooden rolling pin and started hitting items in the kitchen when he spotted the police.

Miss Cooper said officers tried to calm him down but he continued to hit things and throw items, including a microwave, out of the window in a frenzy that caused £1,500 damage to the flat.

At one point the 37-year-old held a piece of glass to his wrist and said: "If you come in here you might get me but one of you will get stabbed I guarantee it."

Officers used CS spray to try and apprehend him but he remained "highly aggressive" so they called for taser gun-trained officers to attend, Miss Cooper said.

The reinforcements used the device twice before police were able to arrest him.

Bradley, who suffers with schizophrenia as well as paranoia and depression, said in interview he had drunk 10 bottles of lager before the incident.

He was sentenced to a 12-week suspended prison sentence and 12-month community order.

Magistrate Norma Grant said it was a "very serious offence" and could have "turned out differently". "I suggest you think about your actions more carefully in the future," she added.

Bradley previously pleaded guilty to charges of affray and criminal damage.