Threatening Police/Weapons Antidepressant 02/08/2004 England Woman Banishes 3 Knives at Police Officers Summary:

Paragraphs 10 through 13 read: "McManus, a shop assistant, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of three knives in a public place."

"She also admitted conducting herself in a disorderly manner, shouting, swearing, throwing herself on to the bonnet of the police vehicle, threatening the officers inside and committing a breach of the peace."

"The court heard that McManus had three failed marriages, the last of which had been such a traumatic experience that she had been prescribed anti-depressants."

"On the day of the offences she had consumed alcohol which, combined with her medication, had left her with a "very hazy" recollection of what had happened."

"She had spent a night in the cells and had been 'extremely remorseful' the next day, even phoning the police station to apologise."


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POLICE HAD TO USE CS GAS ON WOMAN WIELDING 3 KNIVES

Aug 2 2004

POLICE used CS gas to subdue a woman threatening them with three knives.

Waving the weapons at two officers seated in a patrol car, she flung herself across the bonnet of the vehicle.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard she threatened to stab the officers, who had been called to sort out a row between Morag McManus, 57, and a taxi driver.

Depute fiscal Jonathan Miller said: "They used what is described as tactical communication while remaining inside the vehicle.

"They told her to drop the knives and step away, and used CS spray to take control of the situation."

The court heard the circumstances leading up to the incident were "somewhat bizarre in nature".

Police were called to McManus's home in Auchentorlie Quadrant, Seedhill, Paisley, in February after she accused a taxi driver of taking her "on a circuitous route".

At first, she refused to pay the fare, but by the time police had arrived she had "reluctantly coughed up", said Mr Miller.

He added that would have been the end of the matter had she not suddenly re-emerged from her house, brandishing three kitchen knives she had bought that day.

McManus, a shop assistant, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of three knives in a public place.

She also admitted conducting herself in a disorderly manner, shouting, swearing, throwing herself on to the bonnet of the police vehicle, threatening the officers inside and committing a breach of the peace.

The court heard that McManus had three failed marriages, the last of which had been such a traumatic experience that she had been prescribed anti-depressants.

On the day of the offences she had consumed alcohol which, combined with her medication, had left her with a "very hazy" recollection of what had happened.

She had spent a night in the cells and had been "extremely remorseful" the next day, even phoning the police station to apologise.

Sheriff Susan Sinclair described her conduct as serious and warned that courts would not tolerate the use of knives when threatening behaviour was involved.

But she added that she would restrict sentence to a fine of ?500 because of the highly unusual circumstances.