Police opened fire with stun-guns on armed Sheffield man with baseball bat

Martin Roberts, aged 38, was found by police outside a property on Dyke Vale Road, near Frecheville, Sheffield, armed with a baseball bat after a report of a man trying to commit suicide, according to a Sheffield Crown Court hearing.

Matthew Burdon, prosecuting, told the hearing on February 9: “Two officers were called to that address because there was a report the defendant was trying to commit suicide.

"When police arrived at the address he walked out of the address with a baseball bat in his hand. Officers told him to put the baseball bat down and he was told numerous times and he said he was not going anywhere with them.”

Roberts claimed he had held the bat in both hands below his waist and he had not threatened the officers, according to Mr Burdon, but police called for assistance.

Mr Burdon said Roberts continued to hold the bat as he was approached and two officers with stun-guns asked him to put it down.

But Mr Burdon claimed the defendant raised the bat and the two officers opened fire at the same time.

Roberts, of Ballifield Road, Handsworth, Sheffield, who has previous convictions, pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon after the incident on April 26, 2020.

He told police he had been living with his ex-partner and had developed a low-mood and had consumed cocaine and lager and had tried to strangle himself which is why his ex had contacted the emergency services.

Roberts added he had refused to put the bat down because he had wanted to be “Tasered” to stop his thoughts.

Judge David Dixon who viewed video footage of the incident said Roberts had held the bat at his waist and at worse up to the shoulder area but he did not appear to have lifted it above his head.

Judge Dixon told Roberts: “It’s clear you had the bat in the footage I have seen as almost a cry for help to get the police to do something – and they did.”

He sentenced Roberts to three months of custody suspended for 18 months with a rehabilitation requirement.

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