A SUSPECTED shoplifter threatened "to buy a glock" and gun down police before punching and racially abusing one officer.

Police tried using pepper spray to subdue prolific criminal John Israel Spyke but when that failed to work they had to call for backup. 

The 41-year-old, of Low White Close, Barrow, who was previously known as Genus Zanzibar, appeared before Furness Magistrates' Court on Thursday where he was sentenced.
PC Tony Johnson

He had earlier admitted assaulting PC Tony Johnson and using threatening and racially abusive language towards him on October 27, last year. 

Mr Lee Dacre, prosecuting, told the court: "It was 10.35pm and the defendant was in Asda. Security staff suspected that he had been shoplifting at the self-service tills and called the police. 

"PC Johnson, who is a black officer, attended with a colleague. They tried to put the defendant in cuffs but he stiffened and clenched his fists. PC Johnson went to take him to the ground but Mr Spyke punched him in the face. 

"The other officer tried to help and he was hitting out with his fists. He punched PC Johnson again in the face and kicked him in the shin. The other officer used PAVA spray but that didn't have any effect. 

"They then had to call for backup and it took five officers to restrain and arrest him." 

Mr Dacre added that Spyke began shouting and swearing saying he was going to "buy a glock" and kill the officers. 

He then screamed that he was going to get a gun and shoot PC Johnson while shouting racially offensive abuse at him. 

The court was told that Spyke had 17 convictions for 33 offences. The most recent were possession of an offensive weapon on January 24, 2014 and criminal damage on December 12, last year. 

Mr Andy Gallagher, defending, said the pre-sentence report covered much of what he would have said in mitigation. 

He said: "Mr Spyke has mental health issues. He feels the way this incident was handled by police was heavy handed towards him. He accepts he used racist language but was not intending to be racist towards the officer. 

"The incident in 2014, which is referred to in the report, may have led to the perception by him that on this occasion he was treated aggressively and a number of officers did attend. Perhaps it may go some way to explaining his perception of this situation." 

Magistrates gave Spyke an 18-week jail term with four weeks added for the racial abuse, suspended for 12 months. He must also complete a mental health and a 50-day rehabilitation requirement.

<strong><u>Spyke had stand-off with cops saying he was "doing a Dale Cregan."</u></strong>


OUTBURST Spyke – then known as Genus Zanzibar – during a three-hour stand-off with police on Walney in January 2014 TWO years ago Spyke – then known as Genus Zanzibar – had to be shot with rubber bullets following a stand-off with police and was heard saying he wanted to emulate one-eyed police killer Dale Cregan.

He was involved in a three-hour stand-off at his home in Thames Road, Walney and later admitted possession of an offensive weapon in January 2014. He was jailed for nine months the following April.

Zanzibar had a Bear Grylls Scout knife and a homemade shield, which had numerous screws or nails protruding from it.

During his appearance at Furness Magistrates’ Court Mr Lee Dacre, prosecuting, said a member of the public heard Zanzibar tell a negotiator: “Come near me and I’ll cut your throat.”

He was also reportedly heard to say: “I’m doing a Dale Cregan.”
Dale Cregan

Cregan is in prison for murdering four people, including two policewomen, in Manchester.

The Walney incident started when a psychiatric nurse went to Zanzibar’s home to administer medication he was required to take while on licence with the probation service.

He was found kneeling on the grass outside, wearing a motorbike helmet and motorbike suit and said: ‘I don’t want to see you today.’

Two officers arrived and found him carrying a six-inch blade and triangular shield with around 20 nails or screws banged into it.

Zanzibar took a “fighting stance” and the police called for backup, which included firearms officers and dog handlers. One officer described how he feared for himself and colleagues after he moved towards Zanzibar and he did not obey instructions to put down the weapons.

Zanzibar, representing himself, said: “The reason I did what I did was to make a bid for freedom. I feel oppressed by the institutions and society. I feel they are forcing me to take medication I don’t want to take and feel I don’t need to take.”