Robber armed with meat cleavers jailed for attacks

A man who attacked two people in their homes while armed with a knife and meat cleavers has been jailed.

Paul Salisbury knocked on the door of a house in Garnells Road, Gloucester, in June last year and was let in by one of its occupants who thought he was a friend. Once inside, he demanded money and attacked the two men who lived there.

The 39-year-old, of Timmis Close in Gloucester, went on to threaten to kill another resident on the street with a knife before damaging their home.

He admitted a string of offences and was jailed for three years and nine months at a hearing at Gloucester Crown Court on 17 March.

The court heard Salisbury visited the street in the early hours and was let into one property with two men inside by mistake.

Once inside, he threatened to seriously hurt his first victim before ordering him to get on the floor and stamping on his head, causing bruising and bleeding.

While the attack happened, the second occupant was sat in an armchair unable to move due to an old injury.

Salisbury threatened the second man with the weapons while demanding money from the pair. They handed over £30 and he left.

Shortly after, he targeted their neighbour who managed to stop him from entering the property. Salisbury then smashed a window with a metal pole and threatened to kill him.

Salisbury was arrested when police were called to the area following reports of a shirtless man going around with a knife and meat cleavers.

He admitted one count of robbery, two counts of attempted robbery, three counts of possession of an offensive weapon, possession of a bladed article, two counts of assault by beating and one count of criminal damage.

In mitigation, the court heard Salisbury suffered from a personality disorder that affects his emotional regulation.

Police say since being in custody he has been taking antidepressants and attending mental health workshops.

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