The “youngest bus driver in the country” was sent to a juvenile detention center.
Kaylum Weaver brandished a steak knife during an argument with his girlfriend and coolly threatened, “You’re leaving tonight.” A judge told him yesterday that “very serious consequences could have followed” after he armed himself and urged her to “take the risk.” to drop charges against him in connection with an earlier incident.”
Liverpool Crown Court heard on Monday that the 20-year-old had been with his partner Nikita Clark for about two years before his depression “strained the relationship”. She met Weaver, of Beechill Close, Gateacre, on the evening of April 10 this year but returned home and blocked his phone number because he was said to be “looking for a fight”.
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Derek Jones, prosecuting, described how Ms Clark then received around 30 calls from a suppressed number before she saw him outside her address later that night, letting down the tires on her car before being driven away by a friend. He was arrested following this incident, but was subsequently released on bail on the condition that he not have any contact with his now estranged girlfriend.
But on April 20, Weaver called the 23-year-old and sent her a message asking her to “drop the charges against him.” He also told her that he had changed the information in her vehicle’s logbook and listed himself as the owner.
Ms Clark then visited the defendant at his home address and the pair began talking outside in her car. Weaver “continued to ask her to drop the charges,” but she refused and told him to come out.
But he responded by pulling a steak knife from his coat pocket and saying, “You’re leaving tonight. You, me, or both of us.”
Ms Clark recorded their conversation and Weaver was filmed adding: “Let the bail conditions stand but drop the case. I’ll end it now.”
Lionel Greig, defending, told the court his client had suffered from mental health issues following the death of his grandfather in autumn 2023, saying: “This is a young man who is struggling with his emotions. He’s obviously not proud of his actions.” .
“The defendant accepts that what he did was wrong. He shouldn’t have behaved the way he did.”
“This is a man with no criminal record and who has never had any problems with the criminal justice system before. There are clearly issues that need to be addressed.”
Weaver admitted making death threats, threatening to use a knife, intimidating witnesses and stalking. He was jailed for 16 months and given a five-year restraining order.
Sentencing, David Knifton KC, said: “The relationship really ran into difficulties after the death of your grandfather, which appears to have exacerbated the mental health problems you were suffering from. She was concerned about your behaviour, which was becoming increasingly manipulative.”
“I was told that you were the youngest bus driver in the country at the time. You are described as a bright, ambitious and decent young man and academic achiever who chose not to go to university and instead seek employment.”
“They are considered emotionally immature. Your behavior in taking a knife from your home to hit her was carefully planned and deeply manipulative.”
“Although you express regret, you have attempted to downplay your actions and blame your victim. You were clearly under the influence of alcohol and had a knife on you, which could have had very serious unintended consequences.”
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