County Antrim man claimed he had a zombie knife and threatened to kill his girlfriend

Glen Fenton, 29, also warned that any police sent to the couple’s home should wear stab vests. He was detained after armed response officers were dispatched to the property earlier this year.

Fenton, of Tynan Drive in Newtownabbey, admitted making threats to kill, a threatening communications offence and improper use of a public communications network.

Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard he was put through to a PSNI station during a telephone call on February 22.

Fenton provided his name and date of birth, stated he was going to kill his partner and asked for police to be sent out to the address, according to the prosecution.

A Crown lawyer said: “The custody sergeant spoke to him, asked him what he was armed with and the defendant replied ‘a zombie knife’ before hanging up the phone.” During a further call Fenton stated: “Make sure the police are wearing stab vests.”

When officers arrived his girlfriend claimed he had threatened to kill both of them, causing the woman even greater fear by raising a kitchen knife at her.

He was said to have stopped taking his medication and wanted to go back to jail. Fenton also allegedly made threats to stab police at the scene.

Defence barrister Garrett O’Kane stressed that no zombie knife was ever brandished during the incident.

Counsel set out how his client suffers from schizophrenia and made false claims about having that type of blade so police would come to his aid.

“He was off medication… encountered a paramilitary element who was known to him and who had threatened him in the past,” Mr O’Kane added.

Imposing a nine-month custodial sentence, Deputy District Judge Peter Prenter described it as a “frightening and serious incident”.

Due to time already served on remand, Fenton may now be released from prison imminently. Mr Prenter told him: “You have a bad record, but that could be partly as a result of your mental health issues.”