A primary school locked down after a man with knives entered the playground. He claimed he was foraging for mushrooms.
Ethan said he wanted mushrooms because he saw one growing there. It was a chicken-of-the-woods mushroom, and he used to attend that school.
Parents and staff panicked, especially since this happened soon after a school stabbing. Judge David Swinnerton, understanding their concerns, gave him a suspended sentence.
The judge found Ethan’s story believable, stating that he seemed only to want mushrooms. He also said prison would be likely otherwise.
He stated that Ethan acted foolishly by carrying knives, which creates fear. The school day was almost over, and many kids and parents were there.
The judge told Ethan to forage responsibly now, suggesting he use isolated woodland locations. He clarified that this was just foolish, not menacing, and urged him to learn his lesson.
The incident happened in Liverpool last September, with Ethan carrying large kitchen knives. Several parents saw him at the school.
Jonathan Keane stated that the school locked down and they sent a warning text to parents. Ethan left the grounds after the headmaster asked him to leave.
Police found Ethan, who lived nearby at Malvern Avenue. He said the knives were in the dishwasher. Police also found cannabis when they arrested him.
Ethan told police about the mushroom, explaining he saw it while walking and then went to get knives. According to him, he wanted to harvest it.
Mr. Keane viewed it as stupidity, not believing evil was at play. He and others thought he acted incredibly stupidly.
Ethan lives on Forest Road and has no prior convictions. Jack Sweeney, defending Ethan, claimed he was just cutting mushrooms and that the evidence supports this account.
Jack Sweeney described Ethan as being like a hippy, into veganism, and foraging for mushrooms. He even noted that Ethan wasn’t wearing shoes then.
Ethan grew up in that area and went to the primary school. His lawyer stated that he acted without thinking of the consequences and felt sorry for his actions.
Ethan admitted to having knives and cannabis. He received a suspended sentence of 12 months, and must complete rehabilitation. The period of suspension is 18 months.