‘Both of the officers genuinely feared for their safety and did not expect to be threatened with violence when trying to help the defendant’
McCauley Saville, pictured outside Hull Crown Court(Image: Hull Live)
Two police officers were left fearing for their safety after an enraged troublemaker threatened them with a large kitchen knife during a frightening confrontation inside a house. McCauley Saville angrily threatened to stab them during the bad-tempered disturbance.
A friend of Saville bravely managed to wrestle the potentially “lethal” knife from him before his menacing antics could get any worse, Hull Crown Court heard. Saville, 25, of Perth Street West, Hull, but recently in custody on remand, admitted two offences of threatening a police officer with an offensive weapon in a private place, at Rockley Court, Anlaby, on February 21.
Gabrielle Coates, prosecuting, said that police received a report that Saville was under the influence of drugs and that he was making threats to cause harm with a knife. Two officers went to the premises where the incident was taking place.
“The defendant made several threats while holding a large kitchen knife towards them,” said Miss Coates. He shouted: “I’ll f***ing stab you.”
The officers struggled with Saville but they were able to restrain him and remove the knife from his hand, with the help of a friend of Saville, who was there. “Both of the officers genuinely feared for their safety and did not expect to be threatened with violence when trying to help the defendant.”
A body-worn video, played in court, showed Saville yelling “F*** off” and “I’m going to f***ing stab you. Get the f*** away from me.”
Saville had convictions for nine previous offences between 2021 and 2023. They included threatening and abusive behaviour in 2021, intentional strangulation and assault causing actual bodily harm in 2023, when he was given a 14-month suspended prison sentence.
Jazmine Lee, mitigating, said: “He is deeply ashamed of himself.” No further mitigation was requested after an indication was given that a non-custodial sentence would be imposed. Saville appeared in court via a video link from custody.
Judge Gurdial Singh said that, after police went to the premises, Saville closed the door on them. He had a knife with him. “It’s a lethal weapon,” said Judge Singh.
A friend of Saville disarmed him and he was praised by the police for assisting. “You were in drink and probably on drugs,” said Judge Singh.
“To be in possession of such a dangerous weapon is a very dangerous combination. Officers were made the subject of your anger.”
There was no actual attempt by Saville to stab the officers. “You are deeply ashamed of what you did, accepting full responsibility and wishing to apologise for putting the officers in that situation,” said Judge Singh.
Saville was given a 90-day alcohol abstinence monitoring order, 20 days’ rehabilitation and a 26-session probation service programme. The knife will be forfeited.
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