Man jailed for threatening people with axe at Devon hotel

Jason Semple sentenced for 10 months

A man who walked into an Okehampton pub and made threats with an axe has been jailed for 10 months.

54- year-old Jason Semple, walked into the White Hart Hotel at around 1800 on Sunday 13 April holding an axe in his hand.

He headed to the beer garden and approached two men at a table, who were known to him, and started threatening them. Mr Semple, of Tavistock Road, in Okehampton, waved the weapon around and only stopped after a member of the public intervened. He then climbed over the back fence and fled.

Armed police units, the police helicopter, dog units and response officers searched the area and located him. He was arrested and taken into custody, where he told interviewing officers that he couldn’t remember what had happened or where the weapon had come from.

Jason Semple was charged and appeared in court on Tuesday 15 April where he pleaded guilty to two counts of threatening a person with a bladed weapon in a public place.

The judge remanded him into custody ahead of sentencing. He appeared at Exeter Crown Court where he was sentenced to 10 months in prison.

Sector Inspector Daniel Jones said: “Semple acted brazenly as he walked straight up to the victims, who were known to him, and threatened them with the axe.

“This incident took place in a local pub, in daylight, as members of the community were enjoying their Sunday evening. Understandably this caused concern to everyone who was present and also to the wider town.

“I welcome the sentence given today and I would like to thank those who intervened, kept police informed and helped us bring this to a swift resolution.”