Shropshire Star

Ellesmere axeman who threatened to behead neighbours is detained under Mental Health Act

Armed police were called and Ellesmere town centre was evacuated when John Wellings threatened to "kill everyone".

Published
Last updated
Armed police were sent to Ellesmere when John Wellings made threats to kill

A man threatened to chop off his neighbours’ heads with an axe, resulting in the emergency evacuation of Ellesmere town centre, a court heard.

Armed police were called to Scotland Street when John Wellings, a paranoid schizophrenic, made threats to kill during the disturbance on November 14 last year.

Mr Simon Rippon, prosecuting barrister, said officers were first called after the 36-year-old smashed glass in the front door of a neighbour’s home.

But he said the incident escalated, resulting in a 90-minute stand-off between officers and the defendant who was shouting and swearing.

Wellings had admitted offences of assault causing actual bodily harm to Gareth Roberts and making threats with a blade in a public place at an earlier hearing at Shrewsbury Crown Court. He was detained under the Mental Health Act.

Mr Rippon said: “The incident happened at about 11pm when the victim and his teenage daughter were in their living room at a property neighbouring his home.

"They had previously been friends with the defendant, but had fallen out a year earlier.

"They heard banging on their front door and ranting, which Mr Roberts said was not the first time.”

'Kill everyone'

He said Wellings was swearing and saying he was “going to kill everyone”.

“Mr Roberts moved to stand just inside the front door. At this point two panes of glass were shattered by the defendant. The glass fell on Mr Roberts’ face causing cuts.

"The police were called and the defendant returned to this flat where he played loud music which could heard by the family.”

Mr Rippon told the court that at this point a friend of the family called round and, as he was leaving, Wellings approached him “holding a large axe”.

Mr Rippon said Wellings remarked, “I’m going to smash you across the face” and turning to Mr Roberts’ daughter said: “I’m going to chop your heads off”.

Mr Rippon continued: "Mr Roberts took hold of his daughter and returned to his house. The police were called again and arrived at 11.39pm.

"They went to his address and spoke to him through a window. In excess of 25 officers were called to Scotland Street including armed officers.

"There was a hour-and-a-half stand-off during which he was abusive and shouted threats including that he would "kill people" and "kill the police dogs."

Pacified

The incident came to an end when a specially-trained officer was able to pacify the defendant and persuade him to leave the flat.

After his arrest Wellings was remanded in prison before being transferred to St George’s Hospital, Stafford, where he is being treated by the intensive care team.

Doctors recommended to the court that the defendant be ordered to remain there for the forseeable future to address his mental health and his illicit drug habit rather than be sentenced to prison.

Judge Anthony Lowe agreed under section 45(A) of the Mental Health Act.

Mr Paul Smith, mitigating, said: "He recognises that the view of the psychiatrists will be very persuasive to the court.

"He doesn't want to challenge them, but that doesn't mean that he necessarily agrees with them."

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.