Man attacked family members then threatened police

Ethan Hartmann (21), of Broom Grove, South Anston, attacked his mum, sister and girlfriend before arming himself with two knives and threatening the police, Sheffield Crown Court heard.

Ms Amy Earnshaw, prosecuting, said Hartmann’s mother had invited him round in July last year to do some gardening.

She said Hartmann had been drinking and had gone to the shop to buy miniature bottles of gin and vodka.

Hartmann had begun to act out of character, which his mum had put down to his mental health issues due to him smoking cannabis, Ms Earnshaw said.

He grabbed and pushed his sister on to the sofa and she reacted by saying: “Come on then, if you’re starting.”

Ms Earnshaw said: “Hartmann is described as really going for his sister.”

His mum managed to get him into a headlock to stop him from hurting anyone else but then fell backwards onto a wall.

Hartmann attacked his then-girlfriend and had to be dragged off her before his mum and sister went outside to call the police, Ms Earnshaw said.

He armed himself with a kitchen knife, followed them outside and threatened to kill them.

When the police arrived, the defendant threw glass bottles at them which smashed onto the floor, Ms Earnshaw said.

Officers chased after him and he produced a six-inch serrated knife and told the officers he would kill them.

But when officers told Hartmann they would have to use a Taser, he dropped the knife.

When they searched him they found a second knife down his trousers, the court heard.

Hartmann told officers he had drunk six bottles of beer and the miniatures he had bought from the shop.

He said he recalled a squabble with his sister but did not recall making any threats.

Hartmann said he had thrown bottles at the officers to distract them, rather than hurt them.

He pleaded guilty at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court to three counts of assault on an emergency worker, three counts of assault by beating, possession of a knife in a public place, threatening a person with a bladed article and making threats to kill.

Mitigating, Ms Zaiban Alam said Hartmann had a history of mental health issues and had suffered depression as a child.

“He is genuinely remorseful and genuinely ashamed,” she said.

Ms Alam said Hartmann’s mum was supporting him and wanted him to get help and come home.

Judge Roger Thomas gave Hartmann a 12 month prison sentence, suspended for a year.

He said Hartmann had been diagnosed with a mental health condition known as intermittent explosive disorder.

“When the police did attend, your reaction was terrible and the police officers who attended must have been frightened,” he said.

“It’s to be hoped that this conviction is the only occasion that you will be before the criminal courts.”