Armed South Yorkshire man jailed after he put knife to his wife and son's throats
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Sheffield Crown Court heard on February 1 how Jason Hepple, aged 46, of Fish Dam Lane, Barnsley, admitted threatening to damage property, false imprisonment and making threats to kill after the incident in Barnsley on April 9, 2020.
Judge Michael Slater told the court Hepple had terrorised his estranged wife and their son and daughter in their own home while possessing an axe and a knife.
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Hide AdHe added that Hepple had put the knife to the throat of his wife and to the throat of his son and on repeated occasions he threatened to kill his wife and their children which was reinforced as he poured petrol on a staircase.
Judge Slater said: “His wife refers to how she and the children have been traumatised by this episode and each of them has required counselling.”
Hepple repeatedly flicked a flame from a cigarette lighter on several occasions inside the property, according to Judge Slater.
The judge, who described the sustained six-hour and 15 minute incident as "a siege", also outlined a number of aggravating features including the fact Hepple had committed these offences during a cocaine-binge.
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Hide AdThese features also included the fact Hepple's visit to the property had been his third unpromoted visit in three days and that the children's mother had to be separated from the children before they could be rescued by police.
The defendant's wife stated she and the children have been left traumatised and she added there had been repeated threats to kill them if they tried to escape or failed to comply with his demands.
The court heard an expert has stated that Hepple had been in a state of psychosis but he has been making progress since he has been remanded in custody.
Judge Slater sentenced Hepple in his absence, due to a Covid-19 related issue, to 66 months of custody.
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Hide AdHepple was also made subject to an indefinite restraining order.