A MAN who had his car clamped after failing to pay a crossing charge has been jailed for threatening an enforcement officer with a bread knife.

Owen Anthony Miller, 60, of West Moors ran towards an enforcement officer with a knife on June 17, 2021, after his Mercedes was clamped for failing to pay the £2.50 Dartford Crossing charge.

The victim, former British Army solider Terence Mytton, screamed “I’m just doing my ******* job” and feared he would be stabbed during the terrifying ordeal.

Miller pleaded guilty to threatening someone with a blade in a public place and appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court for sentencing on Monday, March 7.

Prosecuting, Stuart Ellacott told the court the victim carried out a warrant issued by Northamptonshire County Court for the non-payment at Miller’s address and found his Mercedes parked at the rear.

He applied the clamp and notices to the vehicle before speaking to the defendant at the front door.

Miller was “aggressive” towards Mr Mytton, “as if he wanted to fight”, Mr Ellacott said.

Bournemouth Echo: Owen Anthony Miller threatened an enforcement officer with a bread knife

“Mr Mytton stepped back trying to keep distance and that part of the incident came to an end with Mr Mytton handing over paperwork,” the prosecutor said.

Miller then returned inside and Mr Mytton phoned the police before the defendant came back out armed with a bread knife.

Body-worn camera footage played in court showed the defendant running towards Mr Mytton, who agreed to unclamp his car.

Mr Mytton told the defendant: “I have got children, I am just doing my job.”

Miller later apologised to the victim who replied: “It’s a bit late for that, you could have killed me.”

Bournemouth Echo: Owen Anthony Miller threatened an enforcement officer with a bread knife

A victim personal statement from Mr Mytton said he had a history of PTSD from his days in the army and following this incident he struggles leaving his flat.

He said his “life has been taken away” and suffers from anxiety and depression as a result of Miller’s attack.

Mitigating, Rob Griffiths said the incident was “out of character” and Miller failed to seek help for stress due to going through a divorce. He said Mr Mytton’s issues were exacerbated by the attack and not a direct result of and Miller wanted to apologise.

Recorder Hannah Willcocks QC said it as a “terrifying incident” and sentenced Miller to eight months imprisonment.