A KNIFEMAN threatened to stab himself in the head when officers tried to arrest him after he allegedly tried to murder his ex-girlfriend, a court heard.
Police were trying to detain David Martin after his former partner Kate Taylor suffered a serious stab wound to the chest during a meeting with him in his Renault Megane motor outside EDF Energy in Doxford Park, Sunderland, where they both worked.
The black-handled knife used to inflict the injury on Miss Taylor was abandoned in the company car park where the attack happened.
Newcastle Crown Court heard Martin left the area on foot and rang 999 saying: “I’ve just stabbed someone”.
During the confrontation with officers at Clinton Place, which was not far from the scene of the stabbing, the 30-year-old produced a second knife.
Jurors yesterday heard a statement from a police constable who attended the scene in a taser vehicle in the aftermath of the assault last May.
The officer said: “Martin was holding a knife to his head and was telling us not to come any closer or he would stab himself.
“We all remained approximately 30ft from Martin.
“Martin at this point was holding the knife to various parts of his body, his head, neck and at one point in his mouth.”
The court heard Martin, who claimed to have taken a paracetamol overdose, began to vomit during the stand-off.
The officer added: “He eventually spoke, stating: ‘I need a psychiatrist’.
“After some time, I persuaded him to put the knife down.
“Martin complied, throwing the knife to the floor.
“He put his hands on his head.”
The court heard Martin was arrested, handcuffed and taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital.
Martin, of Telford Road, Thorney Close, denies attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
He denies prosecution claims he deliberately lunged at Miss Taylor after she refused to get back with him and has said she accidentally became impaled.
Proceeding
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