Cider may be the problem - Judge

9:15am Thursday 4th September 2008

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A HEREFORD man who turned on the gas taps at his home and threatened suicide must undergo a psychiatric assessment.

Christopher Beavan, aged 39, of Home Lane, Redhill, pleaded guilty to threatening to destroy property, affray and drug possession.

His barrister Michael Aspinall described his behaviour as “bizarre”

and said the defendant lost control after working for 10 months on a rehabilitation programme with the probation service.

He may have carried out the offences through stress, Worcester Crown Court was told.

Trained police negotiators were sent in to talk to Beavan before he was finally arrested after a stand-off.

Mr Aspinall said: “This was something of a suicide bid. If he is given a custodial sentence he has a lot to lose.”

He asked for a psychiatric report and the judge agreed, adjourning the case until September 26.

Beavan was remanded back into custody.

Judge Andrew Geddes said cider drinking may have been behind “this very serious matter” and pointed out that Beavan had a record of 43 offences, including two affrays and 16 crimes of violence.

He warned that a substantial prison sentence was likely and told the defendant not to expect a reduction because a medical report had been ordered.