Woman gets suspended sentence for Wood Green bank knife threat and assault

Annette Johnson, aged 65, has received a suspended prison sentence for pulling a knife in a Wood Green bank and assaulting a police officer. She appeared at the Old Bailey on October 1 for sentencing following two incidents that took place a day apart in January.

Bank incident

The court heard that on January 27, Johnson entered the Metro Bank in Wood Green shortly before 1pm. She became agitated when she was not served immediately, having refused to join a queue of customers. Prosecutor Shabeena Azhar told the court that Johnson began shouting and swearing before approaching a desk and producing a knife. Bank staff activated the panic button and asked her to leave.

Assault on police officer

Johnson returned to the bank the following day, January 28, and was seen kicking the doors as she was unable to enter. She was subsequently arrested and taken to a police station. While being booked into custody, Johnson requested a hot chocolate and then threw the lukewarm drink into an officer's face, the court was told.

Mental health history and sentencing

Alex Ryle, Johnson's defence barrister, informed the court of her long-standing history of mental health issues, including paranoid schizophrenia. Judge Katherine Blackwell acknowledged that Johnson suffers from severe mental health problems, which have persisted for approximately 40 years. The judge noted that bank staff were left in shock by the January 27 incident, describing it as frightening. She also stated that the offences were aggravated by Johnson's previous convictions. A psychiatric report considered by the judge described Johnson as 'very psychotic and irritable' shortly before the offences. Judge Blackwell sentenced Johnson to six months' imprisonment for possession of a knife and a consecutive six-month sentence for assaulting an emergency worker. This 12-month sentence was suspended for 18 months.