Harry Barnhouse armed himself with a 4ft-long metal pole and threw it in a "spear-like fashion" at council staff

A disgruntled man threw a metal sign at council staff in a "spear-like fashion" and threatened to shoot them in the head when told he could not get an instant refund.

Harry Barnhouse flew into a rage when reception staff explained that they couldn't give him an on-the-spot refund for a waste collection he had paid for.

The 22-year-old smashed a Covid screen protecting staff, and threatened to return with a firearm while making gun gestures with his hand.

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Swansea Crown Court heard the incident took place at Swansea Council's seafront Civic Centre on September 29 this year.

Tom Scapens, prosecuting, said Barnhouse had gone to the information desks in the reception enquiring about a refund for the collection of waste which he had paid for but which had not taken place.

The court heard that when staff explained they were not able to refund the money to him then-and-there he became "aggressive and irate" and reached through a gap in the Covid protection screens and pushed a member of staff's laptop. Barnhouse then picked up and threw a bottle of hand sanitiser before grabbing a 4ft-long metal signage pole and throwing it in a "spear-like fashion" at the screens, causing one to shatter.

The prosecutor said Barnhouse then started issuing threats that he would return with a gun and shoot staff in the head while making a gun-like motion with his hand before walking out.

Police were called and the defendant was arrested later the same day - in interview he gave a prepared statement in which he said he was extremely angry because he had paid for a service which he had not received.

Thomas Harry Barnhouse, of Whitethorn Place, Sketty, Swansea, had previously pleaded guilty to affray when he appeared in the dock for sentencing. He has no previous convictions, but has cautions for threatening behaviour and criminal damage including from an incident earlier this year when he spat in the face of a member of staff of a dental practice in Uplands, and then threw chairs around in the waiting room of the community mental health team centre on Orchard Street in the city centre.

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Andrew Evans, for Barnhouse, said the defendant realised the way he had reacted in the Civic Centre was unwarranted and wrong. He said Barnhouse had experienced a "difficult upbringing" and had been working with the community mental health team, though that contact and broken down somewhat during the Covid pandemic.

Judge Catherine Richards told Barnhouse he had subjected public servants who were only doing their jobs to a very frightening experience. She said the offence clearly cross the custody threshold but given the defendant was an immature young man who needed a high level of support, she was prepared to suspend the sentence.

Giving Barnhouse a one-third discount for his guilty pleas, the judge sentenced him to eight months in prison suspended for 12 months.

Speaking after the sentencing, a spokesman for Swansea Council: "Our staff are here to support the people of Swansea, providing vital services and support every day. We will not tolerate intimidation or abuse towards our staff and will take all steps to protect them."

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