Man threw knife at police who entered his Rainbow Hill home to check he was OK

Although ruling Ivan Carter was guilty of the offence, the chairman of the magistrates bench did criticise police for not making him more aware of their presence.

The 63-year-old denied the charge of assault by beating of an emergency worker, PC Michael Porter.

Sarah Hurd, prosecuting, said police arrived at Carter’s former home in Belmont Street at 7.40pm on March 10, 2021 after his son called police concerned as he had not heard from him for days.

COURT: Ivan Carter

Ms Hurd said after speaking to neighbours and due to “mounting concerns” police took the decision to enter, removing a wooden panel that was on the front door.

PC Porter’s bodycam footage was played to the court which showed police shouting “Mr Carter” and “police” as they moved down a corridor.

Ms Hurd said: “Officers then attempted to get into the front room.

"Officers managed to push the door open and the defendant is then seen holding a knife.

“Officers say put the knife down and aim their (CS) spray at the defendant.

“He then throws the knife directly at PC Porter and it hits him on his upper leg, just above the knee.”

PC Porter gave evidence saying he was "shocked" when Carter threw the knife, escaping with no injuries apart from some pain.

Judith Kenney, defending, asked why there had been no further shouts of 'police' as they entered the room.

He replied: “On many occasions we shouted it was the police.

TRIAL: Ivan Carter's trial held at Worcester Magistrates Court (Image: Newsquest)

“He could see we were in uniform (when he threw the knife).”

Carter said he was woken up by a noise and moved down the stairs to the front room where he could “hear voices” but stressed he did not hear them say they were police.

Carter explained he had researched a paedophile ring but neighbours had wrongly thought he was a paedophile, so he was scared people would break in and hurt him.

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Carter said: “I looked around to find something to protect myself with, it was either a shoe or a knife.”

Ms Hurd freeze-framed the moment he was about to throw the knife, and said: “You had quite a few seconds there to realise they were police officers."

“I didn’t see they were officers,” Carter replied.

Magistrates criticise police after Ivan Carter trial

Returning a guilty verdict, chairman of the bench Vicky Quarton said: “You knew it was the police when you put down that knife.

"You threw it in a way that was reckless and could have caused serious injury.”

She asked the prosecutor to tell police they were “disappointed” officers did not say at the door to the room they were police.

“We are concerned this was inflated by a lack of that,” the chairman added.

Due to Carter’s health, having incurable kidney cancer, magistrates said they were giving him a 12-month conditional discharge.

Carter, of Lincoln Green, Ronkswood, was ordered to pay £400 costs and £22 victim surcharge at a rate of £30 a month.