A man aggressively entered his former girlfriend’s residence wielding a knife, declaring, “She belongs to me, not anyone else,” as he attacked her current partner. Alan Atkinson, aged 50, unlawfully entered the property on Ford Lane in Litherland, Merseyside, at approximately 10:30 pm on July 26 last year, where his ex-girlfriend resided with her new companion. At the time, homeowner Patrick Smith was in the kitchen, while Aaron Smith, his nephew, sat in the living room with his girlfriend, Chloe Lloyd.
Upon hearing a loud knock at the door, Aaron Smith opened it to find Atkinson brandishing a knife. Despite attempting to shut the door, Atkinson prevented it, thrusting his arm inside and menacingly slashing towards Aaron with the blade. At a later point, when the police arrived and knocked on the door, Atkinson threatened to harm both individuals in the house, as detailed during the trial at Liverpool Crown Court.
According to prosecutor Arthur Gibson, “Aaron Smith quickly retreated towards the stairs as the defendant forced his way in, brandishing the knife aggressively.” Gibson added, “His remarks about the apartment where he and Chloe Lloyd formerly lived suggest that the incident may have been triggered by damage to the property, causing Atkinson to lose his composure.”
Addressing Aaron Smith, Atkinson asserted, “She is mine, no one else’s.” The commotion alerted Patrick Smith, who emerged from the kitchen, spotted Atkinson armed with a knife, and promptly fled the scene. He contacted the authorities and reported the intrusion, leading to a swift police response with sirens and flashing lights.
Inside the house, Atkinson demanded to know who had alerted the police and instructed Aaron Smith and Chloe Lloyd to remain seated in the living room. He then coerced them to fabricate a story for the police, threatening violence if they did not comply. The prosecutor revealed that despite Aaron Smith initially denying the presence of a knife to the officers, his gestures indicated otherwise, hinting at the dangerous situation inside the house.
Law enforcement officers apprehended Atkinson inside the residence, discovering the knife concealed beneath a sofa, as reported by the Liverpool Echo. Atkinson, residing in Marsh Lane, Bootle, admitted to charges of possessing a bladed weapon and intimidating witnesses.
During his defense, Brendan Carville mentioned that Atkinson visited Ford Lane upon hearing that his former apartment had been vandalized, allegedly by Ms. Lloyd, with the intention to confront her. Acknowledging Atkinson’s 197 days in custody, equivalent to a seven-month term, Carville highlighted his client’s perspective.
In his sentencing remarks, Recorder William Beardmore cited Atkinson’s extensive criminal history, including numerous convictions for various offenses. Beardmore acknowledged Atkinson’s jealousy towards Aaron Smith and his ex-partner, attributing his actions to the property damage. The court noted Atkinson’s low risk of reoffending but expressed concerns about his volatile relationships, substance abuse, mental health issues, and decision-making abilities, deeming him a significant threat to individuals he knows.
Atkinson received a 27-month prison sentence and a restraining order prohibiting him from contacting Patrick and Aaron Smith for five years.