Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
World
Lauren Wise & Rebekah McVey

Thug threatened to stab her ex-girlfriend in throat as police pointed stun guns

A woman held a knife to a woman's neck and threatened to kill her during a police standoff.

After breaking into a Toxteth address police officers aimed stun guns at Jemma Ryan who was clinging to her ex while pointing a knife at her throat.

As officers kicked down the door the 28-year-old threatened to throw knives at them and screamed that she would "stick the knife right in her neck".

Officers were seen battering down the door as Ryan threatened to slit the woman's throat in shocking CCTV footage played at Liverpool Crown Court today, Liverpool Echo reported.

The two women had known each other for seven years having "met at work" and were in a relationship for three years, which broke up three years ago, Bernice Campbell, prosecuting said.

Ms Campbell said Ryan was staying at the woman's home for "about four days" .

On April 6 at around 9pm Ryan "began drinking alcohol and continued into the early hours of April 7".

She said at around 7.30am "police were contacted" by the victim, who the ECHO has chosen not to name, and "said the defendant was holding a large knife she had got from the kitchen".

Jemma Ryan was arrested for an unrelated incident after leaving court. (Liverpool Echo)

When the woman said she wanted to go to the bathroom Ryan told her "to stay where she was or she would kill her".

Ryan's victim ran into the bathroom and in a call to police Ms Campbell said Ryan can be heard shouting "you're dead you".

Police arrived at the Toxteth address and were forced to break the door down while Ryan said she was "going to stab her" if police didn't leave.

Ms Campbell said: "The defendant shouted 'Yous come in here and I'll stick the knife right in her neck'."

She also told officers: "As soon as that door opens I'll get every knife in the kitchen and throw them at you."

When police broke the door down Ryan "had the kitchen knife to [the victim's] throat".

Officers told her to put the knife down but she still threatened to slit the woman's throat.

After using Tasers, which didn't appear to hit Ryan, officers stormed the home and restrained Ryan while retrieving the knife.

Ryan, of Lilly Green, Anfield, was arrested for false imprisonment and making threats to kill, but was only charged for making threats to kill.

Ms Campbell explained the woman didn't support the prosecution as "the defendant didn't mean to hurt her and was just angry".

While in custody Ryan was "uncooperative" and had to be restrained before she "became quite grey in colour" and "wasn't responding to questions".

Ms Campbell said: "A nurse believed she was under the influence of drugs and she was taken to the Royal Liverpool University Hospital."

In an interview the following day Ryan admitted the offence and told officers she suffered from depression.

Ryan has no previous convictions but has received cautions for assault and being drunk and disorderly.

Mike O'Brien, defending, said Ryan was "shocked" and "disgusted" at footage of the incident and she told him "I'm ashamed of myself".

Mr O'Brien said: "She takes full responsibility for her actions.

"She is genuinely sorry for what she did."

He told the judge police were present in court as Ryan was due to be arrested in relation to "an incident involving her brother" which took place days after the police stand off.

He said she was a "complex and vulnerable individual" who "recognises her triggers in toxic relationships" and "then turns to drink".

Mr O'Brien said she had been resigned to going to custody when she first spoke to a probation officer but since then has "been able to reflect" and is now "looking more positively to the future".

He said: "She has been offered help before and has never taken it."

Mr O'Brien said she has severe depression which "manifests itself in self harm".

Judge David Potter, referring to a second pre-sentence report, told Ryan "it seems you have an insight into your behaviour".

The judge said: "You now accept there is a need for assistance and support in respect of your behaviour."

Judge Potter said he accepted there was a "realistic prospect of rehabilitation".

She must comply with a four month curfew between 9pm and 7am and was ordered to comply with an alcohol treatment programme.

Judge Potter said: "You have been given a suspended sentence by the nearest of margins.

"This was a very serious offence. The future is entirely in your own hands."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.