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Man jailed over 'Shining' attack | Man jailed over 'Shining' attack |
(40 minutes later) | |
A man who threatened to kill two paramedics he had trapped in his flat has been jailed for at least 27 months. | A man who threatened to kill two paramedics he had trapped in his flat has been jailed for at least 27 months. |
In a scene reminiscent of the film The Shining, Leonard Hilton shouted to the crew members: "Here's Johnny! Come out and play - I'm going to stab you." | |
Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard how Hilton had called the pair to his Oldham home in September 2008. | |
They barricaded themselves in the living room and called 999 as Hilton, 45, repeatedly stabbed at the door. | |
Hilton admitted two counts of false imprisonment, two counts of threats to kill and a count of affray. | Hilton admitted two counts of false imprisonment, two counts of threats to kill and a count of affray. |
The court heard how the paramedics, Philip Jones, 43, and Lorna Wood, 41, had been responding to a 999 call from Hilton's 12th-floor flat. | |
Hilton repeatedly stabbed at the living room door with a kitchen knife as he tried to get in, the court was told. | |
I go to work every day fearful that something like this could happen again Lorna Wood | |
The paramedics managed to call the police and officers forced their way in to arrest Hilton. | |
Neither Mr Jones or Ms Wood was hurt although Judge Leslie Hull said both had "experienced severe trauma" in a "terrifying ordeal". | |
Speaking after the hearing, Det Con Mark Tiffany, of Greater Manchester Police, said Hilton had set a "malicious trap" for the ambulance crew. | |
"The incident highlights how those responding to emergencies can put themselves in very clear danger," said Mr Hilton. | |
"If anyone deserves the protection of the court it is these people who do no more than their best to treat members of the public." | |
'Heard voices' | |
The court heard that Ms Wood had since been diagnosed with depression and post-traumatic stress. | |
After the hearing, she said in a statement that her "outlook on work and life had completely changed". | |
"I go to work every day fearful that something like this could happen again and that next time the outcome may be very different." | |
The court heard that after his arrest, Hilton told police he had heard voices in his head telling him to harm paramedics. | |
Jane Dagnall, defending, said Hilton's psychiatric problems had been triggered by his separation from his partner. | |
Although doctors who observed him in custody said he was "significantly dangerous", they concluded that a hospital order was inappropriate. | |
Miss Dagnall said: "He is a man who these doctors have concluded that if medicated the risk can be opposed." | |
The judge sentenced Hilton to an indeterminate sentence for public protection. | |
But he must serve a minimum of 27 months in jail for affray and 19 months for the other offences, to run concurrently. |