A MAN who threatened to kill ambulance staff has been jailed for 12 weeks.

Vincent Joseph Morgan, 41, of Smiddy Hill, Pickering, appeared at Scarborough Magistrates’ Court on Thursday charged with using threatening behaviour with intent to cause fear, and with threatening to damage or destroy property. He pleaded guilty to both charges.

Prosecuting Emily Jenkins said that an ambulance crew were called to Norton on August 5 where Morgan was asleep on the ground. After they examined him, helped him to his feet and advised him to move on, he became “verbally aggressive”, she said. He picked up a screwdriver, which he had on him, and raised it to one of the crew, “threatening to kill” them. “This caused the victim to fear for his safety,” she said. Morgan left the scene and was later arrested by police.

The second incident happened on August 9 at the Pizza Master takeaway in Norton. Ms Jenkins said: “The defendant had entered a takeaway shop while in drink. He demanded the complainant paid him some money or he would smash the shop and windows.” Later, she added that he had threatened to “burn the place down”.

For Morgan, David Dedman said both matters were serious but the threats against the pizzeria were “clearly empty words said in drink, with the intention of shocking”. But he added: “The other offence is much more serious because it involves a weapon and members of the emergency services. Clearly, there is an issue going on with alcohol.”

Probation officer Ian Walker said that Morgan, who is a roofer by trade which explained why he had tools on him, had said he does not remember the incidents and has offered his apologies to the ambulance staff.

Magistrate Wendy Holroyd sentenced Morgan to prison for 12 weeks. She said: “You had a weapon, you were in drink, and you are in drink today. This was so serious; it was against paramedics.”