Thug pulled out knife and threatened to cut someone's head off

In another episode of ‘blind rage’, Carl Swindells also threatened to pull a gun out on a police officer and shoot his dog.

The 34-year-old appeared before Chester Crown Court for sentencing on Tuesday after pleading guilty to two counts of threats to kill which took place in Warrington.

Prosecuting, Richard Edwards told the court that Swindells originally met his partner on a dating app in June 2021.

The relationship was on and off and Swindells was described as having episodes of ‘blind rage’.

On one occasion, after an argument Swindells went on a two-day binge drinking session before going back to his partner’s and taking more cocaine.

Mr Edwards said how Swindells, from Timperley, then woke the victim up in the middle of the night asking her to call an ambulance as he couldn’t breathe.

He was taken to hospital where he then called the victim and told her he was breaking up with her.

But soon after he returned to her house where he began to hurl threats – in front of her three young children.

He threatened to send someone round to her house while the children were home and threatened to burn her house down.

Swindells then pulled out a knife and said he would cut the victim’s friend’s head off.

The court was told how the victim genuinely believed these threats and didn’t tell the police as she was scared he would kill them.

After the incident, Swindells phoned his ex-partner ‘in tears’ asking her to take him back, which she did, but just two weeks later he had another episode of ‘blind rage’ after he became jealous over a party she was attending with her children.

Again, he returned to her home for an argument and then left armed with a knife – resulting in her contacting the police.

A police officer who was nearby searched the area for the defendant with his police dog.

He found Swindells nearby who went to reach into his pocket, so the police officer warned him that if he ‘goes for his pocket’ the dog will bite him.

Chester Crown Court heard how he told the police officer that if he didn’t let him go then he would pull out a gun and would shoot the dog in the head.

Fearful of Swindells, the officer went behind the car for protection and called for backup.

When backup arrived, Swindells became compliant after he was ‘red dotted’ by a taser and was then arrested.

The court heard how the incident left the police officer ‘shaken’ and fearing for his life.

Swindells has 19 previous convictions for 40 offences and by committing these offences, he had breached a suspended sentence order.

Defending, Richard Brigden said: “These are clearly an unpleasant series of offences.

“This sentence in particular has appalled him.

“He is someone who strikes me as having a real sense of shame.

“This is a man who understands that his drug and alcohol use does not excuse him.”

Mr Brigden told the court how that since being in custody, Swindells has engaged in all drug and alcohol rehabilitation activities available to him.

Concluding, judge Steve Everett said: “It is inevitable that you will receive a prison sentence today.”

Referring to the offence against his ex-girlfriend, judge Everett said: “It was a truly frightening offence.

“You were drunk, drugged, children were present and you took out a knife.

“You have to ask yourself with great shame – is this the person I want to be?

“I often say to people who pick up knives, a knife Is always loaded.”

Addressing the offence against the police officer, the judge added: “This was a serious matter.

“Some people subscribe to the view that police officers should just deal with this – I do not agree.

“Police officers need as much protection as any other person.

“That poor officer was frightened enough to call in a team.”

Swindells was handed a three-and-a-half year prison sentence and an indefinite restraining order against his ex-girlfriend.