Jail for 'alien leader from planet Sci Fi'

A knife-wielding drunk in Nelson, Lancashire who threatened police and the public told officers he was a leader of a group of aliens from a planet called Sci Fi, a court heard. David Hopwood was so aggressive and ignoring warnings to disarm that police used a Taser gun.

He was arrested and taken to hospital. On the way, he told police he was not from earth and, they would say, seemed to genuinely believe what he was telling them. Hopwood claimed aliens spoke to him through the television and his head and wanted the officers killed.

Burnley Crown Court was told how the defendant had a long history of alcohol abuse and, as a result, suffered drink-induced psychosis. He had earlier been referred to the mental health team, but had still been drinking and had been violent towards those trying to help him.

The defendant (47), of Fir Street, Nelson, had been convicted of affray on March 14th and had been committed for sentence by magistrates. He was jailed for a year.