The video will start in 8 Cancel

Sign up to FREE email alerts from PlymouthLive - Court Insider Subscribe Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A tattooed thug who went on a rampage with a machete after threatening to stick a housemate’s head on a spear has told a judge: “I am a nice guy.”

Crazed Joshua Taylor, aged 25, smashed windows with the blade as he was hunted by the police helicopter and armed officers late at night, a court heard.

But Taylor, heavily tattooed around his face, told a judge that his drink was spiked and he had no recollection of his actions over several hours.

In an unusual but measured outburst from the dock at Plymouth Crown Court, Taylor said: “I am so sorry. I did not mean anything, my intention was not to hurt anyone. Someone spiked my drink.

“I am a nice guy. Do not frown upon my tattoos. I have spent time meditating, I am trying to do well.”

(Image: Devon and Cornwall Police)

Recorder Jason Taylor told him: “I do not judge you by your tattoos. The fact remains that for the threats to kill and the possession of a blade only an immediate custodial sentence is appropriate.”

The judge handed Taylor a total sentence of 28 months for a string of offences.

Taylor, of Penrith Gardens, Estover, pleaded guilty to one count of making threats to kill, using threatening words or behaviour, two counts of criminal damage and one of being in possession of a bladed article in public on December 2.

He was also resentenced for previous offences of common assault and threatening behaviour for which he had originally been given community orders.

Recorder Taylor told the defendant he had knocked on a housemate’s door at the home they shared.

(Image: Stuart Abel)

He added: “You made aggressive threats to the people inside, including that you would cut a man up and put his head on a spear.

“No doubt the people inside were terrified. You had a machete with a 36cm-long blade. Your housemate knew that because he had seen it in your room. This went on for about ten minutes.

“Armed police were called but by that stage you had left.

“Three hours later near Charles Cross police station a group of men approached you and you swiped at them with the machete. That is the offence of threatening behaviour.”

The court heard that he smashed two windows at the police station with the machete.

Taylor then damaged two windows at the Dust n Bones tattoo parlour in New Street on the Barbican.

(Image: Stuart Abel)

Recorder Taylor said the defendant was tracked down after a full-scale police search involving armed officers. He was arrested at about 3.30am

The court heard the defendant has 24 convictions for 48 offences, including for public order and criminal damage.

Hollie Gilbery, for Taylor, said he suffered from paranoia and post traumatic stress disorder.

But she added that he tackling his problems, partly by meditating, the study of ancient cultures and walking.