A 45-year-old former British Army serviceman from Clifton, Nottingham, who fought in Afghanistan, verbally attacked two security officers in the city centre and threatened to break their faces.
Nottingham Crown Court was told that the two men, working as security personnel, attempted to assist Arran Kennerdale after observing him walking through the city in what appeared to be a drug-affected state at 8am.
Worried about his wellbeing, the pair contacted the authorities, but before officers could reach the scene the defendant made aggressive statements and attempted to avoid being taken into custody.
The confrontation occurred merely a fortnight after a judge had offered him an opportunity to stay out of prison by imposing a suspended sentence.
Presiding over the six-month deferral of sentencing, Judge Stuart Rafferty KC remarked that he recalled the case clearly due to the crimes committed against his former partner, which had caused her to leap from a third-floor window to flee his violence.
The judge noted that shortly after the suspended sentence was handed down, while intoxicated, the man was back on the streets causing trouble. He observed that given the defendant’s post-traumatic stress disorder, sustained during his military service in Afghanistan with memories he cannot shake, he had become heavily reliant on substances as a means of coping.
The judge stated that the defendant clearly endures severe mental confusion stemming from the traumatic sights he witnessed.
Declan Austin, for the prosecution, outlined that the two security personnel were on routine patrol in Nottingham’s central area on the morning of May 27 when the events unfolded.
He explained that they noticed what appeared to be an injury on Kennerdale and tailed him as he made his way toward Sneinton Market.
The prosecution stated that they described him as acting violently and without reason, sprinting through vehicle traffic toward the Motorpoint Arena before heading to the Lace Market area where he began issuing threats against them.
As an example, he allegedly said to one of them that he would smash their face and that he would remove their jaw. That officer later stated that the threats left him feeling frightened.
Police officers attended and attempted to secure him in handcuffs, but he fought back, dragging them forward and shoving them aside.
Kennerdale, residing on Eddleston Drive, admitted guilt to a public order offence, obstruction of arrest, and violation of the terms of his suspended sentence.
He had previously appeared in court on 17 occasions for 33 separate offences.
Hal Ewing, representing the defence, said his client has secure housing and has taken steps to address his difficulties.
The barrister explained that the defendant has long-standing issues with substance dependency, especially Diazepam, which he claims he finds impossible to manage without.
He stated that on that particular morning, the man had consumed something prohibited and wanted to express remorse to both security officers.
In his own words, he told the court that he holds himself fully responsible.
Judge Rafferty informed Kennerdale that should he avoid further offences and maintain stable housing during the coming six months, he would not impose an immediate custodial term when sentencing takes place in January.