A prolific offender with more than 200 crimes to his name racially abused a hostel employee and delivered a chilling threat to slit his throat.
Andrew John Jason Bell (46), Arnison Court, Penrith, appeared in front of Carlisle magistrates on Thursday.
This followed a disturbing incident at approved hostel premises in the city centre on 2nd January.
“Police received a call from a member of staff, stating that Mr Bell was refusing to leave, was making threats to cause damage and making unpleasant remarks,” said prosecutor George Shelley.
Officers attended and found Bell sitting on a wall outside the building holding a can of cider. It emerged he had earlier been in a public waiting area inside while staff were in an office behind glass.
Bell had racially abused a security guard and, said Mr Shelley, “threatened to slit his throat”. “It is very unpleasant, I have to say,” added the prosecutor.
Describing the impact of Bell’s sickening verbal abuse, the man spoke of feeling “unsafe” in the aftermath and, at times, wanting to vomit.
Bell made no comment to police when interviewed.
In court he admitted one public order charge which was racially aggravated and a second which related to a female staff member present at the time.
The court heard he had 210 past crimes on his record, 46 for public order type offences.
A probation officer had concluded that there was an established pattern of offending which included serious threats of violence. There was a concern Bell’s behaviour could escalate.
Magistrates imposed a six-week prison sentence but suspended it for 12 months after hearing that a short immediate jail term was not deemed beneficial by the probation service.
Bell must also pay £50 compensation to the male and female hostel workers involved in the incident.
