Man boarded bus with knife in Bramley so he could get sent back to prison

A man deliberately boarded a bus in Leeds armed with a knife so he would be sent to jail in the hope of receiving treatment for his mental health problems.
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Stuart Brisbane was the subject of a suspended prison sentence when he got on the bus in Bramley armed with the weapon on March 13 this year.

Sue Evans, prosecuting, said the bus driver called police after Brisbane refused to pay and went and sat upstairs.

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A police community support officer went to the bus on Henconner Lane and told the defendant he needed to pay his fare.

Leeds Crown CourtLeeds Crown Court
Leeds Crown Court

Brisbane told the officer that he had no money, needed to get to town and had a knife so he was staying on the bus.

When asked where the knife was, he lifted up his jacket to reveal the knife, which was tucked into his waistband.

He was arrested and taken to Elland Road police station where he told a nurse in custody that he wanted to harm someone.

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Brisbane then picked up a computer keyboard, slammed it down and punched the computer.

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Brisbane, of Fernbank Road, Bramley, pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article in a public place and criminal damage.

He has 34 previous convictions for 54 offences, including dishonesty, drugs and violence.

Richard Reed, mitigating, said the father-of-two had tried to take his own life the day before the incident as he was depressed and had no one to speak to.

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An ambulance had been called but paramedics would not admit him to hospital.

Mr Reed said his client thought that the best way to get help was to get back into Armley prison.

He added that Brisbane had still not had any help due to the lockdown in prison to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in custody.

Mr Reed his client has bipolar disorder and schizophrenia and is also taking medication for anxiety.

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Brisbane, who appeared in court via a vide link from Armley jail, was given a ten-month prison sentence.

Sentencing, Judge Geoffrey Marson QC said: "It was a dangerous kitchen knife.

"Although I accept that you did not use it, when you show it to people they are put in fear."

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