Sheffield man spared jail after threatening to shoot police officers

Sheffield Crown Court heard on November 11 how Ryan Christie, aged 27, of Lingfoot Place, Jordanthorpe, Sheffield, refused to let police into his home after they had responded to a report of a domestic dispute.

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Amy Earnshaw, prosecuting, said officers received a call from a neighbour indicating there had been a domestic incident.

Ms Earnshaw added: “Police attended and were refused entrance to the property and he was aggressive towards them and quite obstructive.”

Officers explained they needed to check on Christie’s partner, according to Ms Earnshaw, but the defendant said he would shoot anybody who tried to get inside.

Ms Earnshaw said police damaged a door as they entered the property and after Christie was arrested he threatened to spit at the officers and kicked out at them before he was detained with pepper spray.

Christie, who has previous convictions, pleaded guilty to affray after the incident on March 31.

Ms Earnshaw added the domestic dispute claim was not pursued after Christie’s partner declined to make a statement.

Rebecca Tanner, defending, said Christie has depression, anxiety and a post traumatic stress disorder which affects his behaviour.

Ms Tanner added: “We do now have some remorse. We do now have some regret and slowly but surely - with work with probation - he is developing insight into his behaviour.”

Recorder Kate Batty sentenced Christie to three months of custody suspended for one year with a rehabilitation requirement and 40 hours of unpaid work.