A man arrested by police told them that one of them would die.

Defendant Michael Rees-Armstrong said that police murderer Dale Cregan “got the right idea".

He also told officers he hoped their children would die in their sleep and that their wives would be raped.

The 54-year-old defendant of Juniper Way in Rhyl, admitted making a threat to kill.

Mold Crown Court heard that the defendant had previous convictions for 92 offences and had twice been jailed for making threats to kill in the past.

On this occasion, he received a ten month prison sentence suspended for 18 months and was placed on rehabilitation.

He was also ordered to carry out 120 hours unpaid work.

Judge Niclas Parry said police officers had been subjected to disgusting and disturbing comments including threats to kill.

“Police officers are hardy people,” he said.

They faced problems day to day.

But officers knew of his criminal record and his previous threats which was why they were seriously worried that he might do what he said.

His threats had caused anxiety.

But the judge said that he accepted that the defendant had mental health issues and a probation report took the view that the public would be better served by the defendant keeping his job, which was a stabilising influence in his life.

It was for that reason that the inevitable prison sentence would be suspended.

Prosecuting barrister Sion ap Mihangel said that police had cause to speak to the defendant’s partner on October 18 to update her about an on-going investigation.

They could hear the defendant in the background.

There then followed a 999 call from a kiosk when he made threats towards police officers.

He said he would batter a police officer and officers went to his home and arrested and handcuffed him.

On the way to the police station he chillingly told officers: “One of you is going to die for this.”

He then said he hoped their kids would die in their sleep and that their wives were raped.

Rees-Armstrong told how he was “going to kill a copper” and said police killer Dale Cregan “got the right idea.”

He threatened to knock out a police officer when he was free and in the custody suite in St Asaph police station he looked directly at one officer and told him: “You will die, trust me. Dale Cregan did it, remember that . It will happen to you.”

Interviewed, he said that owing to his mental health and other issues he had no recollection of what he had done.

Defending barrister Simon Killeen said that his client was a man with significant mental health difficulties, his job was a stabilising influence in his life, and he also cared for his partner who had her own issues.

He said he would not mitigate further when the judge said he would pass a suspended sentence.