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Gloucestershire Business News

Stabbing threat to businessman because he owned a Bentley

Former soldier Warren Bagwell, 31, threatened to stab two men because he was jealous of them having a Bentley car with personalised number plates, a court heard.

He was so abusive to the Bentley owner, also the owner of Gloucester nightclub Butlers Venue Bar, Justin Hudson, and his friend outside a Tesco store in Gloucester that they reported him to a security officer in the shop and police were called.

Bagwell, 31, of Cranwell Close, Gloucester, was originally charged with attempted robbery of the men - but that charge was not pursued today when he admitted a less serious offence of using threatening words and behaviour towards the men on 1st May this year.

At the time of the offence he was subject to a suspended jail term from another public order incident, Gloucester crown court was told.

Prosecutor Caroline Bolt said Bagwell had been sentenced on February 16th for an affray, possession of an offensive weapon, and a common assault in Matson, Gloucester.

He received a 12-month jail term suspended for 24 months for those offences, Ms Bolt said.

Judge Michael Cullum agreed at today's hearing that it was not necessary to proceed with the attempted robbery charge

"This is not a man attempting to rob. He makes a nuisance of himself in drink I suspect," said the judge.

"He is abusive to them. Scares them. They run away.

"He doesn't like that they have a personalised number plate. Neither party likes the other. "

Ms Bolt told the judge "Todd Carter and Justin Hudson had been to a gym in Brockworth and they left at 10.15pm. They went to a nearby Tescos.

"They saw the defendant nearby. He had his hood up, and scarf over his face."

The prosecutor described Bagwell as 'bouncing from foot to foot'. She said this made the men 'anxious and apprehensive'.

Mr Carter said to Bagwell "are you all right?"

At which point Bagwell became extremely abusive, taking issue with their choice of car - a Bentley.

Ms Bolt said Bagwell was then heard to say: "Don't think I didn't see where you put your key. I have a knife. I am going to stab you take your car and sell it for thirty grand."

Ms Bolt said the two men said to Bagwell: "Behave yourself and don't be stupid," before going into the Tesco store and alerting security and police.

Bagwell was found nearby by police and said: "I know why you are here. I have been an idiot."

The court heard he told officers he had post traumatic stress disorder and had been in the Army.

Ms Bolt said that Bagwell then started shouting towards the Bentley again, before running off.

He was quickly apprehended, and arrested. He did not have a knife in his possession.

In his police interview he claimed the victims had said something unpleasant to him, and he had replied: "Don't look down on me."

The record of the police interview noted 'If anything he felt threatened, and he denied making comments about having a knife'.

He told the police he had drunk about 3 or 4 pints of Stella Artois, and rated himself 2 out of 10 on a scale of drunkenness.

Ms Bolt said Bagwell had 11 previous convictions for 23 offences, with his record starting in 1999.

Eugene Hickey, representing Bagwell, said: "It is perhaps an understatement to say he is not proud of his behaviour.

"The first thing he did on release was contact Gloucester House Rehabilitation Centre.

"He has not drunk since this incident," the barrister said.

The court heard Bagwell was now attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, three times a week, and engaging on a twelve-step programme.

"There are very encouraging signs in the probation report," Mr Hickey said, "He is attending probation, and responding well.

"It says he is dealing with his demons in the pre-sentence report.

"The probation recommendation is that he is best dealt with in the community to allow the good work to continue."

The judge agreed he would not activate the suspended jail term, as 'in all the circumstances it would be unjust to do so'.

He imposed a further twelve-month community order on Bagwell with 10 rehabilitation activity sessions.

"You have again committed an offence of public disorder. Whilst subject to a suspended jail term for affray," the judge told Bagwell.

"Very unusually, your life has taken a dramatic turn," the judge said, "You have woken up to your demons, only really when in breach of the suspended sentence."

He described Bagwell's progress since the offence as 'truly impressive.'

"You present as someone completely different," he said, "It is no mean feat to be sober since May

"The purpose of this sentence is not to disrupt the progress you have been making, somewhat belatedly, since May."

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