Swindon woman in court charged with threatening to jump off bridge and possessing knife

A woman has appeared in court following two mental health-related incidents in Swindon.

Chelsea Gilliver, 26, was charged with causing a public nuisance by threatening to jump off a bridge and possession of a locking knife in a public place.

The defendant, of Islandsmead, Eldene, previously pleaded guilty to the blade offence and appeared before Swindon Magistrates’ Court on 4 March for sentence.

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The court heard how Wiltshire Police were called to a welfare concern at Coate Water Country Park on 24 November 2021.

Responding officers found two women in a car, both of whom had taken overdoses, and during a search, Gilliver was found in possession of a locking Stanley knife.

Stephen Collins, defending, told of how his client suffers from severe mental health issues.

Magistrates imposed a conditional discharge. This means the defendant will not be convicted of the crime unless she receives a conviction for another offence within the next 12 months.

A charge of causing a public nuisance – relating to an incident on 27 October 2021 whereby she took Oxicodene and threatened to jump off a bridge over a road – was withdrawn by the prosecution.

The case was sent back to Wiltshire Police and Gilliver will instead face a caution in relation to the incident.

If you are struggling with your mental health, please reach out for support. Contact the Samaritans in confidence and for free, 24 hours a day 365 days a year, on 116 123. You can also visit our page of Mental Health Helplines to view a list of relevant organisations.

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