Former soldier imprisoned in cry for help knife wielding

Friday 08 March 2019

A former soldier who was told his mental health needs couldn't be met by services in Guernsey at that time sought 'death by cop' at the beginning of February, and has now been jailed for five months for taking a knife into a public place.

Simon Lorier, 37, drank whiskey before calling Guernsey Police to say there was a man on his property with a knife, before he took his scuba diving knife into a shared carpark where officers tasered him and arrested him for the offence.

The former soldier and family man, who was described in court as a hard worker who volunteered at a church hall, called police in desperation out of the lack of response from mental health services on the island. 

Lorier's last court appearance was deemed to be similar in its motivation, after he crashed a car into a wall in 2013. The court heard that the man had been suffering with his mental health for 15 years. 

Pictured: Guernsey's Court building. 

On 1 February the court heard that after making the call to police Lorier made his way out to the car park outside his property with the serrated 6 inch blade held downwards. In a statement Lorier said he wanted 'death by cop' as a result of the incident. 

"This was the only way he could think of to get the help he needed. He remained calm, he seemingly wanted mental health support,"  the prosecution said in its outline of events. 

Advocate Steel told the court that Lorier was suffering from depression and had approached his doctor for help in November of last year. 

"He was told his needs were more complex which meant another indeterminate delay. He went out to buy the whiskey to numb the pain. He thought this would be the best way to get the help he needs. It seemed to be a logical move to him at the time," he said. 

Advocate Steel emphasised how his client did not intend any harm against the police officers which attended the call. 

"He didn't come into contact with any members of the public, he expected to be shot to death there and then, he wanted to get help but he accepted he might get shot.

"Most people don't understand what it's like to be in his shoes. He has been in pain for 15 years. He couldn't have driven to A&E and he couldn't afford the costs of calling an ambulance.

"His wife says she wants him back with her and called him 'lovely, supportive and caring'," he went on. 

Judge Cherry McMillen decided to imprison Lorier on the basis of the potential risk of taking a knife into the public where someone could be killed, she said she wanted to send a message out that this was not acceptable. 

"It was wholly wrong and wholly dangerous. The message must be sent out that this behaviour is unacceptable," she said. 

Lorier was sentenced to five months and two weeks in prison for the offence. 

Pictured: Guernsey Police Station. 

Guernsey Police made a statement following the court case to say that knife related crimes on the island were relatively rare occurrences.

DCI Ian Scholes said:

“The Joint Emergency Services Control Centre received a call from a man who said there was another male in his house with a knife.

"Specialist Taser-trained officers were deployed to the address. When they arrived they were confronted by the caller who was hiding in a car park waiting for them, armed with a seven inch hunting knife.

"Despite repeated orders from officers to put down the weapon, standard use-of-force procedures were followed, resulting in the eventual use of two Tasers. Although effective, the man kept hold of the knife, requiring PAVA, further Taser firing and baton strikes to safely disarm him. 

"Crimes such as these are extremely rare in Guernsey and this was an isolated incident. Through the use of these predetermined de-escalation methods by our highly-trained officers, a potentially life-threatening situation was brought to a safe conclusion for all.”

Pictured: The knife Lorier was holding.