Ipswich Wilko evacuated after alcohol-fuelled man brandished knives and stabbed paint cans, court told

Matthew Dawson, of Mackintosh Close, Ipswich, sparked a police emergency response after wandering around Wilko in Upper Brook Street stabbing paint cans.

The 33-year-old pleaded guilty when he appeared before the town’s South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court to possession of kitchen knives in a public place.

Dawson also admitted a second charge of threatening behaviour in relation to the same incident.

The offences occurred on July 5. Prosecutor Wayne Ablett said the incident began at around 5.20pm.

A stock supervisor at Wilko was alerted by a security alarm. He noticed a male on the first floor carrying knives. He had removed them from the store’s shelves after taking them out of their packaging. There were 10 knives in all.

Dawson then started stabbing items, such as tins of paint.

It was decided to ensure staff and customers were removed from the premises.

The store was closed until police arrived.

CCTV images showed Dawson walking around the shop carrying knives.

Police with tasers arrived at the scene. However, Dawson handed himself over to officers.

In interview Dawson told police he had been in The Cricketer’s public house in Crown Street.

While there he said he had consumed eight to ten pints of Carlsberg.

Previously Dawson had taken medication for mental health issues.

He told officers he does not normally drink alcohol, and did not recall leaving the public house or remember what happened after that.

Dave Allan, representing Dawson, said his client had previously been of good character. Mr Allan added Dawson had consumed a very large amount of alcohol on the day of the offences.

Magistrates sent Dawson’s case to Ipswich Crown Court for sentencing on a date to be fixed.

A pre-sentence report was ordered from the probation service to help inform the judge’s decision.

Dawson was released on conditional bail.

The condition is that he can not enter Wilko in Upper Brook Street.