Mansfield man carried meat cleaver and knife while ‘wrestling’ with security staff in shopping centre

Police arrived in time to help security staff with an “extremely drunk” Robert Wilson on September 30, at 3.50pm, Mansfield Magistrates’ Court was told.

Daniel Wilshaw, prosecuting, said 35-year-old Wilson had been asked to leave the centre, because he was behaving aggressively towards another man.

The court heard he has “plenty of previous convictions”, but none for possessing blades, and he was jailed for 12 months in March 2020.

Wilson, of Yeovil Court, admitted possession of the blades.

Tim Haines, mitigating, said Wilson was “no stranger to the courts", but had been “stabilised” by his partner since he was released from custody.

He said Wilson had drunk to excess before visiting his partner while she was in an eyebrow shop and that is where he found the cleaver and the knife.

He has no explanation for picking them up, but did not brandish them, Mr Haines said. After he did, security were called.

At the time, Wilson had recently undergone a cancer scare and suffered a sudden family bereavement.

“It perhaps puts into context why he committed this sort of behaviour,” said Mr Haines, adding that the dad-of-two, who hopes to marry next year, is currently on antidepressants.

“It’s an aberration which could have serious consequences for him.”

Wilson was given a 12-month community order, with a three-month alcohol treatment programme and 32 rehabilitation days. He was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £114 surcharge