Swansea teen's threat to stab police after row with mother

A 19-YEAR-OLD wielded a knife at two police officers and repeatedly threatened to stab them after they were called to his home, a court heard.

The judge sentencing Daniel Matthews said it was only luck, not judgement, which meant a police officer was not injured.

Police were called to his home in Eigen Crescent, Mayhill, after an argument between Matthews and his mother on January 26.

Matthews answered the door to the police but quickly closed it again when he saw the officers, before returning with a knife which had a 4in serrated blade.

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Matthews, who later admitted affray and possessing an offensive weapon, was holding the knife over his shoulder and threatened to stab the two police officers, Swansea Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Janet Gedrych said: "Both officers retreated down the garden away from the defendant. PC Jones jumped over a wall and fell to the ground.

"Matthews slashed out with the knife and PC Bowen stepped in to protect his fallen colleague," said Miss Gedrych.

PC Jones tried to use his CS spray on Matthews, but high wind meant the spray went back into his face, allowing Matthews to run off towards Teilo Crescent.

Two officers arrived and forced Matthews to drop the knife by hitting him twice on the leg with their batons.

Matthews had one previous conviction and a warning, both for a public order offences.

Steven John, representing Matthews, said: "He was brought up by his mother as a single mum, with substantial support from his grandparents."

Recorder Geraint Walters said: "This is not a case of you wielding a knife for the purpose of show but you would have been quite content in this case of proceeding to stab a police officer.

"This must have been a terrifying scene for the police officers who are familiar with such disorder and it must have been terrifying for anybody who might have been in the street or roused from their sleep as a result of this commotion," he added.

"It's the court's experience that when a knife becomes involved there's no knowing where it will end.

"It seems to me, more by luck than judgement, that a police officer wasn't actually hurt.

"Police officers doing their duty, no more than responding to a phone call, deserve to be protected from this kind of behaviour."

He sentenced Matthews to eight months in a Young Offenders Institute.