Schoolchildren watched on as an axe-wielding thug threatened two terrified police officers. Kurtis Corrigan brandished the weapon after being confronted by police onto a busy residential street in Bury.
The 36-year-old raised the axe above his head in a threatening manner towards the officers, who were in 'considerable' fear for their safety. Corrigan eventually put down the weapon and surrendered. He has now been locked up.
Prosecutors told how two young boys in school uniform watched the shocking incident unfold, in broad daylight on a Wednesday afternoon last month. Minshull Street Crown Court heard that Corrigan was wanted by police for an unrelated incident, and plain clothes officers approached him on Walnut Avenue at about 3.30pm on March 16.
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They identified themselves and produced their warrant cards. But shortly after, Corrigan who was 'heavily intoxicated', produced a 'short handled axe' from the waistband of his trousers.
He raised it above his head in a threatening manner, causing the officers to believe they were about to be attacked, prosecutor Marianne Alton said. Following a stand-off, in which Corrigan was about five metres away from the officers, he surrendered and put down the weapon.
Two young schoolboys observed the 'full episode' in front of them as they made their way home. After being arrested, Corrigan was put in a police van and made further threats, as he headbutted the inside of the vehicle.
Corrigan has a 'poor' criminal record, racking up 23 previous convictions. His barrister Michael Lea said the defendant had not drank for four months, but after having an argument with his girlfriend he took to the bottle.
Mr Lea said Corrigan, of Topping Fold Road, Bury, also suffers from poor mental health, and had not taken his medication in the days prior to the incident. He was 'out of control' at the time but is now remorseful and 'deeply apologetic' for his actions, Mr Lea said.
The barrister appealed for Corrigan to be given a suspended sentence, but Judge Bernadette Baxter said police officers must be protected by the courts. "The court must send a message, if you behave like this they will be protected, immediate custody is inevitable," she said.
"That must have been a terrifying experience for them, albeit they were a considerable distance away from you." Corrigan pleaded guilty to affray and possessing a bladed article in public, and he was jailed for eight months.
