Greenfield man jailed after 'hostage' situation

Simon Murphy, of Tir Glas, Greenfield, appeared via video link at Mold Crown Court for sentence on Friday morning.

The 40-year-old had pleaded guilty to numerous offences, including careless driving and escape from lawful custody, dangerous driving and criminal damage, as well as affray and threats to destroy property.

Hannah Horton, prosecuting, told the court the crimes had happened over three occasions, the first of which saw police ask Murphy to get out of his vehicle at around midnight on August 29.

He was told he was under arrest on suspicion of harassment and criminal damage, but he refused to exit the vehicle.

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When an officer opened the passenger side door he started the engine and - despite having captor spray deployed in his face - drove away at speed with the officer still between the door and the vehicle.

He collided with the rear of an unmarked police car as he drove off.

Then, the court heard, he went to Manchester with his girlfriend at the time, Vicky Wheelan, and others.

His behaviour "ruined their night" on New Year's Eve and he got a taxi to Ms Wheelan's property in Colwyn Bay.

Simon Murphy. Image: North Wales Police

He called her and was "screaming in a rage" telling her he would break her belongings.

When she and the others returned to Colwyn Bay, he turned up in a car and drove into her vehicle.

The police were called and when she got back to her flat, she realised several things had been damaged.

A baby gate had been smashed, oil had been poured all over kitchen surfaces, her bed had been broken, phone lines had been ripped from the wall, an xBox and TV had been smashed and a kitchen extractor fan had been pulled off the wall - as well as other items.

Finally, in February this year, police were called after he he effectively instigated a "hostage" situation, threatening to blow up a house by cutting a gas pipe and threatening to slit the throats of those inside the property.

When officers arrived at the scene he shouted from the window: "F*** off or I'll cut the gas pipe and blow you the f*** up," while holding a large knife.

He had to be subdued by taser.

Simon Killeen, defending, told the court his client had significant mental health issues and it was clear he does need "some intervention."

He raised the option of giving the defendant a community sentence, adding: "It's one of those stark choice cases - he does need help. He is vulnerable."

Judge Timothy Petts told Murphy his behaviour had been "disgraceful" and while the defendant did have mental health difficulties, that fact didn't make him "blameless."

The Judge sentenced on the most serious of the offences for each of the three occasions, reflecting the totality of his criminality in each case.

For the crime of affray in February, he handed down a 12 month sentence, followed by a nine month sentence for dangerous driving in January and three months for escaping unlawful custody.

The sentences will run consecutively, meaning his total term is two years.

The Judge banned Murphy from driving for three years - uplifting it by an extra year to account for the custodial element of his sentence.

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