A convicted killer said "I've done it before” while threatening his neighbour with a sword, a court has heard.
Steven Wales, 57, of Bala Street, Anfield, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday in relation to two separate instances. Olivia Beesley, prosecuting, first detailed the events of July 2021, when Wales was caught by police during a drug deal.
On July 2 at around 9.50pm two plainclothes officers noticed a large group of suspected drug users being approached by a male on a bike wearing all black at a park near Whitefield Road, Everton. Police approached the group of eight males, one of which was Wales, and identified themselves as officers.
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Wales immediately attempted to swallow the drugs he had on him, but was brought to the ground by police and prevented from doing so. Several bags of white and brown powder were found on him, amounting to 50 wraps, including 3.16 grams of cocaine and 2.11 grams of heroin.
He was interviewed but responded no comment to all questions put to him. More than a year later on October 1, 2022, an argument erupted between Wales’ neighbours on Bala Street.
Despite not being involved in the dispute, Wales came out of his property with his dog on a lead and a large sword. Joshua Johnson, Wales’ neighbour, was involved in the argument, and footage of the incident played in court clearly showed Wales approach Mr Johnson brandishing the sword.
Wales then removed the dog’s lead before it jumped at Mr Jackson, biting his hand and right thigh, breaking the skin. During the attack, Mr Jackson asked Wales if he was going to kill him, to which Wales responded: “Yes, I have done it before”.
After this, the residents involved in the incident went back into their homes, and Wales told Mr Johnson if he called the police, “it is not safe, your windows are going in”. Police arrived at the scene shortly after, but the dog could not be found.
In a victim personal statement read by the prosecution, Mr Johnson said Wales had threatened to “put a blade in me”. Wales has 31 previous convictions for 59 offences, including five involving drugs and one for manslaughter relating to the death of Pauline Beattie, 54, who was found strangled at her terraced home in Chapel Road, Anfield, on June 6, 2008.
Wales was sentenced for two counts of possession with intent to supply both cocaine and heroin, affray, being in charge of an out of control dog, and possession of a bladed article. Jo Maxwell, defending, said the argument on Bala Street was related to an elderly gentleman who had allegedly been threatened and was known in the area.
She said: “He thought he was acting out of public responsibility to protect an elderly neighbour who he already knew.” Ms Maxwell also pointed out that Wales has had long periods of his life without committing crimes, and that his offending is linked to substance abuse.
In relation to drug dealing, she said Wales was only involved in dealing to pay off existing debts, and had “received a beating” after his arrest by those he owed money. In sentencing, Judge Louise Brandon said: “The dispute had nothing to do with you, you approached your neighbour and you pointed the sword at him and you got the dog to attack him.
“He was genuinely concerned for his life and that is not surprising given he was threatened with a sword and a dog.” Wales was sentenced to 33 months imprisonment in relation to the drugs offences, and a consecutive sentence of 27 months imprisonment for the affray, possession of a bladed article, and dog offence, totalling a 60 month sentence.
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