A DOCTOR is facing prison after being found guilty of threatening a Cheshire Police officer and bailiff with a knife.

Halton Magistrates’ Court in Runcorn, heard on Thursday how Edward Mtitimila made the threats on November 9 last year.

PC Kurt Sixsmith and Paul Corroboy, a Warrington County Court bailiff, had gone to repossess his home in Ribchester Gardens, Culcheth, following divorce proceedings.

But when they arrived at 9.15am the paediatric consultant slammed the door shut and refused them entry, demanding to speak to the chief constable.

He returned 30 seconds later, brandishing a knife with a 10-inch blade.

Mr Corroboy told the court: “It was large kitchen knife with a broad blade.

“We could see the metal shining and the shape of the blade. He said ‘if you come in you’ll be a stiff’.”

Prosecuting, Carolyn Viviani said the defendant made further threats, warning the two men ‘he would give somebody a funeral’ if they tried to enter.

Fearing an attack, PC Sixsmith drew his baton and pepper spray before calling for back up.

A seven hour stand-off then ensued, before Mtitimila was arrested around 4pm.

The 48-year-old, who is currently unemployed, refused to answer any questions during his police interview but during proceedings last week denied the charge.

He had not made any threats and did not undertand why the bailiff was at his home.

“I shut the door and chained it,” he said.

“I told them to go. I don’t know what making anyone a stiff means. That’s not my language or my professional language.

“I didn’t know what they wanted to do in my house.”

But the court heard that Mr Corroboy had also attended on November 8 to serve the repossession order and had been refused entry.

Mtitimila had been living with his estranged wife until February when divorce proceedings began.

Following his arrest he now lives on Arpley Street and cannot go within 100 metres of the Culcheth address.

Magistrates criticised the defendant’s evidence as ‘cloudy’ and ‘difficult to see through’. They found him guilty of a section four public order offence and warned him he could face prison. He will be sentenced today, Thursday, at Halton Magistrates’ Court.