Giant with swords threatens policeman

The man swung one of the ceremonial swords at a policeman's head in Beeching Road and missed the officer by just a few inches, a court was told.

A judge sitting at Hastings Magistrates court on Wednesday remanded burly Jason Jeffrey in custody until he is sentenced at Lewes Crown Court.

The court heard police peppered-sprayed the 36-year-old three times but he would not go down.

The officers then called for armed backup in Beeching Road on Monday night but Jeffrey by that time had laid down the weapons.

Jeffrey's parents and partner were in court to see him remanded in custody.

They shouted: "No. He's not a danger to anyone - he is a gentle giant!"

His partner blew kisses at him as he was led to the cells handcuffed between two custody officers.

Judge Roger Ede told him: "I am concerned about your very dangerous behaviour towards the police and the danger you would cause to the public."

Claire Prodger, prosecuting, said Jeffrey had gone to the house of a local teenager with the swords following a row.

She said: "A neighbour heard him shout; I know you are in there and I am going to chop your arms off."

When police raced to the scene they saw Jeffrey walking away with a sword over each shoulder. He told them : "I have been doing your job for you!"

"He brandished the swords in an uncontrollable and deranged manner and one officer was forced to duck to avoid a blow to the head that could have caused him serious injury," she added,

Jeffrey, of Edinburgh Road, admitted two charges of possessing offensive weapons and two charges of using threatening words or behaviour.

Richard Body, defending, argued that Jeffrey suffered from mental health problems and was not a danger to anyone.

He said: "He is clearly unwell and is a rather gently spoken, non-aggressive person who is not a danger to the public. This was an isolated incident after some considerable provocation."

The court heard that the 14-year-old youth in question, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been consistently rude to Jeffrey's partner and family at their home. This is what caused the man to snap.

Mr Body added: "He had no intention of using the weapons and there is no good reason to believe he will do anything as foolish ever again."