Man jailed after wearing fake suicide vest and arming himself with knives
A man who was armed with knives and wearing a fake suicide vest near a Territorial Army base has been jailed.
Daniel Bebb-Jones, aged 23, was jailed for 18 months at Worcester Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty to carrying two throwing knives, a hunting knife, an axe and wearing a fake suicide vest loaded with nails and screws.
The court heard how on the evening of 18 June 2017, Bebb-Jones left his house and made his way towards Kidderminster town centre armed with the offensive weapons.
Members of the public called the police when they saw the defendant outside the Territorial Army centre wielding these weapons.
Weapons
When police arrived at the scene the Bebb-Jones placed two of the knives on the floor, however, officers then saw that the defendant had more weapons around his waist and that he was wearing a fake suicide vest. After failing to surrender to the officers, they discharged their Tasers and, following a short struggle, they were able arrest the defendant.
Appearing at an earlier hearing, Bebb-Jones, of Merton Close, Kidderminster pleaded guilty to three counts of having an article with a blade and he has today been jailed for 18 months.
Martin Lindop, District Crown Prosecutor with West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service, said: “At a time of heightened national security, Daniel Bebb-Jones caused fear and distress within the local community by carrying in public three knives, an axe and wearing a suicide vest loaded with nails and screws.
“Members of the public contacted the police who managed to arrest the defendant and it was only then police realised that the suicide vest was fake. “The motive behind this crime is unclear, however, he will now have deal with the consequences of his actions.”
