Moira Tuke, 65, approached police officers at Birmingham's German Market on November 1, 2025, and told them she had a knife and was going to murder somebody. Officers recovered two knives from her and a third from a pretzel stall, Birmingham Magistrates' Court heard.
Tuke pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing a bladed article in a public place. The court was told she armed herself deliberately so she would be jailed, fearing homelessness after being released from prison on licence two days earlier.
Knives at the Christmas Market
Prosecutor Sara Wythe said officers on patrol at the German Christmas market were passing Superdrug when Tuke approached them and made the threat. She walked away with her hands in her pockets, and during a stop and search officers found two knives on her. A third large knife was recovered from a pretzel stall by other patrolling officers, and Tuke admitted she had dropped it there.
Ms Wythe said: "The prosecution say there was a risk of serious disorder. This case taking place outside the German market, a busy place and a busy time. The knife that had been dropped could've been used." Tuke was arrested and offered no comment in interview.
Motivation and Mitigation
Defending Tuke, barrister Charlie Denney described the case as "desperately sad." He said: "This response of carrying knives for protection is from trauma after the fatal stabbing of her brother." Tuke committed the offences two days after release on licence, and her motivation was that she was "terrified of being homeless," so she carried knives to go back to prison.
Mr Denney added: "She felt being in prison was a safer place than being in the community. She does have a realistic prospect of rehabilitation. She is not of high risk. Her pre-sentence report outlines accommodation is a great source of anxiety. She was terrified of being homeless. It is not to excuse or to detract from the seriousness of carrying knives in a public place at a busy time. She wanted to be arrested and sent to prison. If she feels safe in her environment and doesn't feel at risk of being homeless she will not feel the need to commit further crime."
Sentencing and Record
The court heard Tuke has 33 previous convictions for 62 offences, including knife possession. Accommodation was available in the community from the day after the hearing if the sentence were suspended, but Recorder Douglas-Jones imposed an immediate 22-month prison sentence, of which Tuke will serve up to half.
