Knife man who sparked chaos in South Yorkshire park was taken down by police dog
Gill had 10 previous convictions for 16 offences but nothing for weapons, the court heard.
An Indian man who overstayed his visa by “19 years” caused chaos in a busy park when seen toting a knife in a “sheaf bag” strung across his chest, a court heard.
A judge said it was “astonishing” that Dlip Gill, 42, had remained in the country illegally for that long.
Paige Yellott, prosecuting, told Sheffield Crown Court how on May 22 police received “multiple calls” from Barnsley residents that Gill was “in possession of a knife” in Locke Park.
She said: “Officers attended and located the defendant on Racecommon Road - he appeared under the influence and was shouting in the street.
“The defendant had a knife in a sheaf bag across his chest with and the handle and blade visible.”
Ms Yellott said Gill was taken down by a police dog when he “failed to comply with verbal instructions” from officers. The barrister said at the time of the offence Gill was due to be deported anyway.
Gill had 10 previous convictions for 16 offences but nothing for weapons, the court heard.
A barrister representing Gill said his client had entered the country 19 years ago legally on a visa but was an “overstayer”.
He said Gill had “only recently” come to the attention of immigration services. The barrister added: “It has been made abundantly clear that the defendant desires to return to his native India.”
Recorder Mark Cooper, jailing Gill for 14 months, told him his actions had caused “serious alarm or distress”. He added: “This is significantly aggravated by the fact you were intoxicated.
“You’re in this country illegally having overstayed your visa by 19 years. You wish to return to India and you were due to be deported irrespective of these proceedings.
“It may well be that you are deported as soon as you’re released from your sentence.” Gill, formerly of Spencer Street, Barnsley, admitted possessing a knife in a public place.