A man violently entered his former girlfriend’s residence armed with a knife, asserting ownership and threatening her new partner. Alan Atkinson, aged 50, forcibly entered the property on Ford Lane in Litherland, Merseyside, around 10:30 pm on July 26 last year. The house was where his ex-girlfriend resided with her new boyfriend, Patrick Smith, who was in the kitchen, and Aaron Smith, Patrick’s nephew, and his girlfriend Chloe Lloyd, who were in the living room.
Upon hearing a loud knock at the door, Aaron Smith opened it to find Atkinson holding a knife. Attempting to shut the door, Atkinson prevented it, thrusting his arm inside and making threatening gestures with the blade towards Aaron. Atkinson later menaced to harm both individuals when the police arrived, as detailed in the Liverpool Crown Court proceedings.
Prosecutor Arthur Gibson recounted the events: “Aaron Smith quickly retreated towards the stairs upon encountering the defendant. Atkinson forcefully entered, brandishing the knife towards him.” Gibson added, “He was overheard questioning the situation and showing frustration about the state of the flat, where he and Chloe Lloyd had previously lived. This may have triggered the incident, as the defendant appeared to have lost control.”
Atkinson directed his aggression towards Aaron, declaring, “That’s my bird, no one else’s.” The commotion alerted Patrick Smith, who witnessed Atkinson armed with a knife inside his home. Patrick fled, called the police, and reported the intrusion.
As the police arrived with sirens blaring, Atkinson, inside the house, demanded to know who alerted the authorities. He then ordered Aaron Smith and Chloe Lloyd to sit down in the living room, threatening them with harm if they didn’t cooperate. Atkinson also instructed the couple to mislead the officers, warning them of dire consequences if they revealed the truth.
Upon police entry and Atkinson’s arrest, the knife was discovered under a living room sofa, according to the Liverpool Echo. Atkinson, residing in Marsh Lane, Bootle, confessed to possessing a bladed weapon and intimidating the witnesses.
During the court proceedings, Atkinson’s defense attorney, Brendan Carville, explained that Atkinson went to Ford Lane due to reports of his damaged flat, allegedly caused by Ms. Lloyd. Carville noted that Atkinson had already spent 197 days in custody, equivalent to a seven-month sentence.
Recorder William Beardmore, when issuing the sentence, highlighted Atkinson’s criminal history and the circumstances of the incident. Atkinson received a 27-month prison term and a restraining order preventing contact with Patrick and Aaron Smith for five years.
