Serial criminal who gets 'aroused' by violence is put behind bars

Reece Convery, who has convictions for serious assaults on his record, has been branded a public danger and a "high risk of serious harm" to others.

The 23-year-old told the judge to "**** off" when he received the jail term, with an extended five year licence period, at Newcastle Crown Court today.

The court heard Convery had been wanted by the police for breach of his licence from a previous prison sentence for violence when he tried to rob a taxi driver at knifepoint in South Shields in September.

He then forced his way into a couple's home in Jarrow, after he smashed their windows, and warned they would be "tortured" and "petrol bombed" while trying to attack them with a knife.

Convery, of no fixed address, admitted attempted robbery, criminal damage, having a bladed article and aggravated burglary.

The court heard Convery confessed he carried two knives and a bottle of ammonia because two males had made threats towards him.

Mr Recorder Jonathan Sandiford Qc, who imposed the 16 year prison term, told Convery: "You said you were going to use your time in custody to plan the perfect murder of those two males.

"You report to the probation officer being aroused by acts of violence and thoughts of slashing throats of other prisoners."

The court heard Convery had been released from a two year jail term for wounding in September but had not abided by the terms of his licence and was 'wanted' so he could be recalled to prison.

Two weeks after his release he got into a taxi in South Shields then started arguing with his fellow passengers and produced a knife.

He then jumped on the bonnet of the cab and smashed the windscreen before the driver managed to get away.

Convery then called another cab, using a false name, and was picked up at Tyne Dock.

He then produced a knife and demanded cash from the driver, who he dragged from the taxi.

One witness who saw what happened said he thought the driver had been stabbed.

The cabbie said he felt he had been "fighting for his life" during the terrified armed struggle and has now changed jobs after a 12-year taxi careerbecause of what happened.

While still wanted over the taxi driver attacks, Convery went into a newsagents in Jarrow and the shopkeeper saw he had two knives and a bottle of ammonia so asked him to leave.

Convery tried to spray the shop worker with the ammonia then followed a customer who had been inside the store and demanded money.

The court heard Convery tailed the customer all the way to his house, where he lived with his disabled wife, and smashed his windows.

Convery warned the couple he was "going to get them tortured, get them petrol bombed" and asked if they "knew who he was".

Convery admitted his intention during the break-in was to cause grievous bodily harm to the couple.

The court heard the female victim was left "literally shacking with fear".

Steven Reed, defending, told the court Convery's claims of the perfect murder plan and arousal through violence were "mere immaturity".