Teenager was armed with knife because he wanted to 'stab a paedophile'

An 'unstable' teenager from Bulwell said he wanted 'to stab a paedophile' when he was found by police armed with a knife on New Year's Eve, a court heard.
NEWS from Nottingham Magistrates' Court.NEWS from Nottingham Magistrates' Court.
NEWS from Nottingham Magistrates' Court.

Marques Monroe, 19, of Highbury Road, had been the victim of a serious offence that was being investigated by police, his solicitor claimed.

Nottingham Magistrates’ Court heard that Monroe had also bombarded his grandmother with several abusive and insulting text-messages during a four-day period the previous month.

He pleaded guilty to charges of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place on Thursday, December 31 last year and of harassing Barbara Bateman between Thursday, November 19 and Sunday, November 22 last year.

Alastair David, prosecuting, told the court that the text-messages contained insults against Mrs Bateman and others.

One called her “a slag”, another branded one of her relatives “a dirty inbred”, while a third said: “See you at your funeral.”

After reports of more offensive behaviour on New Year’s Eve, said Mr David, the police were called to track down Monroe, and found him with the knife.

David Watts, mitigating, said Monroe was suffering from “significant psychological problems”.

“A psychiatrist’s report says he has an emotional, unstable, dependent personality disorder,” said Mr Watts.

“He was in hospital earlier this month, and is on a significant amount of medication at the moment.

“His parents have been involved in his care, but he has been living with his father, who has Parkinson’s Disease, which has proved very difficult.”

Monroe’s case was adjourned until Thursday, April 21 for the preparation of a pre-sentence report by the probation service.

He was granted bail on condition that he does not contact his grandmother or go within 100 metres of her home, and lives and sleeps at his flat on Highbury Road. A curfew, complete with an electronic tag, of between 8 pm and 7 am, was also imposed.