A JUDGE has shown mercy to a former special forces serviceman from Bishopsteignton who suffered a mental breakdown on Armistice Day morning.

Tony Groves suffers from PTSD as a result of his service in Afghanistan and other war zones and went out with a knife after learning that a former comrade had died.

Neighbours in Bishopsteignton called the police after they saw him in a highly emotional state outside his home at 7.20 am on November 11, 2020.

There was a short stand-off in which officers tried to calm him down before he was tasered and arrested. He had previously been caught growing cannabis, which he used to treat his PTSD.

Judge Peter Johnson suspended his sentence at Exeter Crown Court and praised Groves’s contribution to the armed services.

Groves, aged 42, of Clanage Street, Bishopsteignton, admitted affray, possession of a knife, production of cannabis and personal possession of MDMA and amphetamines.

He was jailed for 22 months, suspended for two years with probation supervision.

The judge told him: ’On Armistice Day morning, you had received upsetting news that a former colleague had died and no doubt you were at the end of your tether.

’The reason behind your reaction was your commendable service in the armed forces in earlier times which led to you suffering mental difficulties. I have read the most impressive references I have seen in this court.

’It is said you fell between the cracks in the system but are now receiving support from veterans’ associations. An exceptional case calls for an exceptional sentence.’

The judge also praised the compassionate way in which police dealt with Groves during the Armistice Day incident.

Miss Emily Pitts, prosecuting, said Groves was stopped by police driving under the influence of drugs in April 2020 and a large grow of 101 cannabis plants found at his home.

Police also recovered half a kilo of amphetamines and a small amount of ecstasy (MDMA) which were both for his own use. He told them he grew the cannabis to treat his psychological conditions.

Officers were called to a disturbance at his home on November 11, 2020, and saw him acting aggressively and abusively and recovered a knife from his pocket. 

He was tasered after he shouted ’I’ll kill you, I’m special forces’ at police.

Miss Pitts said the drugs offences alone would normally carry a starting point of four years under sentencing guidelines.

Mr Lee Bremridge, defending, said all the offences arose directly out of the psychological issues which Groves suffers from as a result of his active service.

He said Groves was self-medicating with cannabis and other drugs at the time because he found those he was prescribed did not work for him.

He is now being supported by veterans’ groups and receiving the counselling he needs.

BY DEVON REPORTER