Knife-carrying man caused Meliden school to be locked down

Rhyl Journal

7 hours ago

Peri Johnson, 29, of Ffordd Pennant, was jailed for a year at Mold Crown Court today (August 20) for what was described as 'extreme' and 'unjustifiable' behaviour.
Johnson had previously admitted charges of possession of a bladed article in public, and threatening behaviour.
Prosecutor William Griffin said that on June 24, a dispute broke out between Johnson and another man, Liam Richardson.
Mr Richardson later sent Johnson a Facebook message, warning him that whatever had happened should not be repeated.
He later attended Johnson's home, and a 'frank exchange of words' ensued between them, with Johnson telling him it was 'game on,' and Mr Richardson responding in kind.
After Mr Richardson walked away from Johnson's home, the defendant followed him down towards a playing field, with a large silver kitchen knife in his hand.
A nearby after-school club had to be locked down as a result of safety concerns, meanwhile.
Mr Richardson started to record Johnson on his phone, which prompted him to tell Mr Johnson to 'put the camera away like a real man'.
Children could be seen screaming and asking Johnson not to do anything as he continued to follow Mr Richardson.
Johnson was arrested later that evening when officers attended his home; when interviewed by police, he accepted that he 'lost his temper' at Mr Richardson.
His nine previous convictions include two for possession of a bladed article in public.
Representing him, Simon Killeen said he is a qualified chef and is now 'completely off drugs and alcohol'.
Mr Killeen added that there are 'some seedlings of promise that he can fit back into the community' upon his release from custody.
He has a partner, who attended today's sentencing, who has children with whom he 'clearly has a significant attachment'.
Johnson was also said to have a 'very close bond' with his mother, and to suffer from mental health issues.
Sentencing, Judge Rhys Rowlands told Johnson: 'You didn't start this incident, but you reacted to it in an extreme and wholly unjustifiable way.
'This is the third time that you've taken a knife out onto the street.'
The kitchen knife was ordered to be forfeited and destroyed.