Man, 70, threatened to cut support worker’s testicles off with a multi-tool

A man has been jailed for almost three years after threatening his support worker, intimidating a tram ticket inspector and burgling his neighbour.

Oliver Herbert, 70, also stole from shops and pulled a knife on security guards who challenged him.

At Nottingham Crown Court, Judge Julie Warburton said: ‘This was, quite frankly, an appalling catalogue of offending over a six-month period during which many offences were committed within days of each other.

‘You stole a bag from a woman who lived in the very complex where you lived. You then lunged at a ticket officer who was merely doing his job.’

In a sickening instance, while at the Priory in West Bridgford, he was asked to leave after an argument with a woman.

At that point, he went outside, took out a multi-tool and threatened to cut off his support worker’s testicles, saying: ‘You don’t know who I am.’

Prosecutor Devni Kitulagoda said the raft of offences took place between March and September 2024.

On March 31, a neighbour who had recently lost her husband and lived in the same flat complex as Herbert was in the process of moving out when he entered her address and stole her bag.

When the victim’s daughter rang her mum’s mobile, they heard it inside Herbert’s flat.

In early May, Herbert became violent when asked to show his tram ticket, even grabbing the inspector’s lanyard.

He also stole shoes from Marks and Spencer in Nottingham, and when found by security guards, he waved a knife.

The final set of offences saw him callously steal from a British Heart Foundation charity shop on October 1, 2024.

Herbert, of Forster Street, pleaded guilty to charges including burglary, threatening behaviour, possession of an offensive weapon, possession of a bladed article, possession of cannabis and Mamba and theft.

He has 24 previous court appearances for 47 offences. Representing Herbert, lawyer Digby Johnson said his client has many children, and between 2014 and 2023, there was a ‘significant gap’ in the offending.

‘In 2023, controlled drugs became an issue for him, and he became aggressive,’ Mr Johnson said.

‘He was living in accommodation for five years, really good accommodation, but because he was short of money for drugs, he took the bag.

‘He then went to The Priory in West Bridgford, and at the age of 69, he found himself homeless and started to carry a knife for his own protection.

‘Sitting in custody, he realises his life has careered off the rails.’

Herbert has been jailed for two and a half years.