A judge has demanded an explanation from North Wales Police after Martin Edwards, 41, was released on bail despite allegedly threatening to "chop up" and "bury" a woman who accused him of rape. Edwards, who had no fixed address, was arrested in March and made the threats to police staff, stating, "I'm not having her saying I raped her."
During his time in custody, Edwards repeated his threats, saying, "As soon as I get out of here on bail I am going to find her and chop her into little pieces" and that he would "bury her." He was subsequently bailed and later threatened to murder the woman while in possession of a knife in Llandudno, Conwy. The situation was de-escalated when a former soldier intervened and removed the knife from Edwards. This witness contacted police to report a "threat to life" but stated he felt "ignored," with a delay of over 24 hours before officers attended the scene, during which time he was still in possession of what he described as a "potential murder weapon."
At Caernarfon Crown Court, Judge Simon Mills expressed strong concern over the decision to release Edwards. "A person alleging rape needs to be protected and shouldn't have people free to walk from a police station having said to a police officer 'I am going to kill them'," the judge stated. "There seems to have been a wholesale failure in this case. I can't understand how this man came to be released from custody, having said he was going to murder a person who was alleging rape."
The judge noted that police had warned Edwards not to make threats, but he reportedly responded, "I don't care," and proceeded to arm himself with a large kitchen knife shortly thereafter. The prosecution indicated that no further action had been taken following the initial rape allegation.
Edwards pleaded guilty to making death threats, affray, and possessing a knife in public. His defense team indicated he has a brain injury and paranoid schizophrenia, which they argued affected his perception of being slighted.
Judge Mills described Edwards as "very dangerous" and sentenced him to three years and eight months in prison. He also imposed a five-year extension to his license period and issued a 15-year restraining order. The judge emphasized his need for "satisfaction that nothing like this can happen again."
North Wales Police, represented by Dep Ch Con Nigel Harrison, stated they are "aware of the judge's comments in this case which are clearly concerning and we are actively reviewing the full circumstances surrounding this incident." The force added that they will "reply directly to the court in due course, and as such it would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this time."