Man wielding air rifle threatened to blow up building with grenades because workmen were ‘too noisy’, court hears

Defendant pleads guilty to using threatening words and behaviour

Clive Hewlett allegedly complained that the contractors spent more time ‘smoking and drinking tea’ than working (SWNS.com)

A man wielding an air rifle threatened to blow up his property with grenades after complaining workmen were being “too noisy”, a court has heard.

Clive Hewlett was allegedly drunk when he confronted the contractors after telling them they were spending more time “smoking and drinking tea” than working on an asbestos-removal project at Thomas Morris House, in Upton, Worcester.

Worcester Magistrates’ Court heard he flew into a rage after moaning that the work they had been doing was too loud.

He told the workers: “I’ve got loads of hand grenades on the way, I’m going to blow this place up.”

He later wielded his air rifle in front of a worker, who “froze” with fear.

Hewlett, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to using threatening words and behaviour towards Billy Perrott and Dylan Merry on 12 March.

He was fined £200 and told to pay £135 in costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

Shafquat Reaz, prosecuting, said: “At around 1.45pm, two workmen were going about their duties working in the corridor of Thomas Morris House.

“It’s at this time that they were confronted by the defendant who was complaining about the noise being created by the work being done. They described him as drunk.”

He added: “He exited his doorway, went into the corridor and said ‘I [expletive] hate this place, I’ve got loads of hand grenades on the way, I’m going to blow this place up. He returned a few minutes later holding an air rifle. Nothing was said by him but he [one of the workmen] saw the rifle being waved around.

“He feared for his safety and was shocked and froze. He was not sure if it was loaded.”

Police officers were then called to the scene, arresting Hewlett and confiscating his two air rifles, the court heard.

Hewlett, defending himself, said he was “terribly sorry” about the crime and added: “I said to them, ‘you spend more time smoking outside and drinking cups of tea than doing this building work’. I was not drunk. The air rifles were.177s [guns that fire 4.5mm calibre pellets], the type you would use at the fairground. They are little putt-putts.”

However, Mr Knight, chair of the magistrates’ bench, said: “A .177 could put someone’s eye out. The use of the air rifle was very contentious. I suggest you don’t try and get the air rifles back.”

SWNS