A MACHYNLLETH man who threatened to stab himself, police officers and a police dog was angry because his father had locked him out of his home and hadn’t told him he should leave, a court heard.

Robert Sam Jones, 26, sparked a major police search including a helicopter, armed response unit and dog unit in Machynlleth on 28 August after he sent messages to the police saying he would kill himself rather than be arrested, as well as making threats against police officers and a police dog.

Jones, who is currently of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct on 27 August, as well as criminal damage and two charges of sending malicious communications on 28 August.

Helen Tench, prosecuting, said on 27 August, police officers were called to Machynlleth Bowls Club after a report that Jones was argumentative and refusing to leave after a row with another man.

He eventually left, but returned later walking his dog. Ms Tench said that Jones made a string of derogatory remarks about police officers, and was shouting and swearing.

Jones then smashed a window at his father’s house in the early hours of 28 August after finding he had been locked out.

Ms Tench said Jones’s father wanted him to leave so locked Jones out, but Jones sent a string of text messages demanding answers and saying that his belongings were in the house, before he smashed a window.

When police arrived, Jones jumped from an upstairs window, breaking his heel, before leaving the area.

He then contacted a police call handler and said he had a knife and would stab himself and any officers who tried to arrest him.

Jones also claimed that he had taken an overdose of prescription medication.

Ms Tench said a total of 69 hours of police time was taken up with trying to find Jones before he was located just half-a-mile from his father’s home.

But defence solicitor Alison Mathias questioned why it had taken police so long to find Jones, and said he had been angered as his father hadn’t told Jones that he wanted him to leave.

She said: “It’s the lack of communication that angered Mr Jones.”

Ms Mathias said that the majority of the threats Jones made in messages to the police were against himself. She added: “He just wanted to be left alone. He did not want the police attention.”

Jones wanted to apologise for making inappropriate comments to the police on 27 August, with Ms Mathias saying that he had been arguing with another man and had reacted badly when his apology was not accepted.

She said that Jones was keen to find employment as that helped him to keep out of trouble and said he needed assistance.

Jones was given an 18-month community order with 50 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement. He will also pay compensation to his father of £35, a fine of £80 and £170 costs.