Chef Jailed for 12 Months After Knife Incident Near School

A school building was locked down following a disturbing incident involving a man armed with a knife, which stemmed from a dispute between two families. The situation escalated when Peri Johnson, 29, pursued Liam Richardson after a disagreement concerning their children on June 24, 2022. Staff at an afterschool club nearby took immediate action to ensure the safety of the students during the confrontation.

According to court documents from Mold Crown Court, the conflict began when Richardson’s eleven-year-old son interacted with Johnson’s nine-year-old stepson on a playing field in Meliden, near Prestatyn. Following the incident, Richardson posted a warning on social media, advising Johnson that “whatever had happened should not be repeated.” This led to a confrontation at Johnson’s residence in Ffordd Pennant, where tensions flared.

When Richardson visited Johnson’s home, Johnson allegedly threatened him, stating that their next encounter would be “game on.” After leaving, Richardson reported seeing Johnson armed with a “large, silver kitchen knife,” triggering alarm among the children present. Witnesses confirmed seeing Johnson wield the weapon, prompting staff at the afterschool club to initiate a lockdown for safety.

As the situation escalated, Richardson began filming Johnson, who refused to show his hands when asked. Witnesses noted that children were frightened and pleaded with Johnson not to act violently. Shortly after, police arrived at around 19:25 local time to arrest Johnson at his home. During questioning, he acknowledged a disagreement with Richardson but denied possessing a knife.

In court, Johnson’s defense attorney, Simon Killeen, argued that the incident occurred “in the vicinity” of the school and pointed to provocation as a factor. He described Johnson’s decision to confront Richardson while armed as “disgraceful,” highlighting the potential for escalation in such situations.

Judge His Honour Rhys Rowlands condemned Johnson’s actions as “utterly unjustified,” particularly given his history of similar offenses. Johnson was sentenced to 12 months in prison for possession of a bladed article in a public place, marking his third offense of this nature in six years. The judge emphasized the seriousness of carrying knives in public, stating, “People who take knives onto our streets must realise that an immediate prison sentence is likely to follow.”

In addition to his sentence, Johnson was ordered to forfeit the knife. The court heard that he is a qualified chef and expressed a desire to return to the culinary industry following his release. The judge acknowledged the challenging circumstances surrounding incidents involving children but reiterated the need for responsible behavior in such situations.

The swift response from school staff and law enforcement helped avert a potentially more dangerous scenario, reinforcing the importance of vigilance in community safety.