Retired opera singer, 63, got naked and broke into song during bow and arrow rampage at care home before being tasered by police after he ‘flipped’ out when staff told him he was not allowed to leave, court hears
A naked opera singer armed with a bow and arrow was tasered three times by police after he broke into song while terrorising a care home, a court heard.
Terrified staff called 999 when Mark Holland, 63, went on the rampage after being told he wouldn’t be allowed to leave the care home to go shopping ‘because he had been drinking too much.’
The successful baritone – who has performed worldwide – lost his temper and went on a rampage armed with a bow and arrow, Blackpool Magistrates Court heard.
Police laid siege to Belmar Nursing Home in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, on October 2 with officers closing the road as the home went into lockdown.
Residents were evacuated from common rooms and taken to the cellar to hide as Holland went on a wrecking spree causing almost £3,000 worth of damage.
Police laid siege to Belmar Nursing Home in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, on October 2
The court heard Holland was only stopped after he was struck three times with a taser fired by police officers.
Holland was a voluntary resident at the home and was normally allowed his freedom, the court heard.
But he ‘flipped’ after home bosses feared he had been drinking too much and told him he must remain indoors.
Pam Smith, prosecuting, said a disgruntled Holland suddenly broke out into song and appeared from his room naked.
He threatened staff, who rang police and evacuated residents to safe areas when Holland re-appeared from his room wielding his bow and metal-tipped arrows.
The court heard he caused £2,800 worth of damage to the home when he broke doors, set off fire extinguishers and threw concrete blocks at a visitor’s car.
In a statement read to the court, PC Nicole Bennett said the incident ‘escalated quickly’ and police brought in a trained negotiator as they feared Holland would take a hostage.
She went on: ‘He then confronted myself and three other officers with a large bow and arrow.
‘I had never faced this level of threat before. He was preparing to shoot an arrow and had taken direct aim at us.’
She said it was at this point that she and her colleagues retaliated with tasers.
It was only when Holland was hit for a third time by the electric shock weapons that he retreated back into his room.
Eventually police broke into the room and handcuffed the retired opera singer, a graduate of the prestigious Royal College of Music in London.
Staff member Katie Bent said in a statement: ‘He was on the rampage and we had to move all the residents apart from the end of life patient who could not be moved.’
Trevor Colebourne, defending Holland, said his client had been at the Belmar for some time and staff were aware he had the bow and arrow in his possession.
He said they had even played with the bow and arrow when cleaning his room.
He said his client’s mother had died a short time before the incident and Holland had been depressed.
He told the court: ‘He has had a fine career as a renowned baritone and has appeared worldwide, as well as starring on the West End.
‘He comes from a good background with family in Hertfordshire.’
He said Holland had been living in Lytham, but had become a voluntary resident at Belmar after suffering health issues.
Mr Colebourne added: ‘Since his arrest he has been in prison custody. Both he and his family feel he is getting help there.’
District Judge Richard Thompson heard that the arrow Holland had fired towards police only went a few feet because the bow’s string broke.
Sentencing him to six months in prison, the judge told Holland: ‘This a sad situation. As an educated man you lost control and caused fear with that weapon.’
Holland, who had just received a £110,000 inheritance, was ordered to pay £2,800 to the home, £250 compensation to the car owner and £250 each in compensation to staff involved in the evacuation of residents.
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