A CHRISTMAS Day knifeman drove into an ambulance while four times over the drink drive limit.

Milen Mlandenov, 39, had called paramedics on December 25 for help with his drink problem having that day sunk a litre-and-a-half of vodka, Swindon Magistrates’ Court heard. He had already gone to his doctor about his alcoholism.

He had spoken to the 999 crew about harming himself. Prosecutor Emma Charleton said: “Whilst paramedics are in the house, Mr Mlandenov walks into the kitchen, picks up a knife and says ‘I can end all of this now.’

“At this point paramedics fear not only for the defendant’s safety but, obviously, it’s not safe for them to remain in the house so they exit the property.”

While they were outside the house in their ambulance, Mlandenov appeared at the door with the knife in his hand.

He got into a Ford Focus parked outside. Fearing Mlandenov, who was drunk, was about to drive the car, the paramedics manoeuvred their ambulance to box in the 2012-plate Ford.

Ms Charleton said: “Mr Mlandenov then proceeds to try and drive away, causing a collision with the ambulance. Essentially, there’s not enough room for him to get past, so he causes scratches to the side of the ambulance.

“He then gets out of his car, bangs on the door of the ambulance and appears to be gesturing to get them to move their vehicle.”

After he was arrested, he blew 147mgs on the police station breathalyser machine. The legal limit is 35mgs.

Appearing before the court via video link from Gablecross police station, Mlandenov, of Morse Street, pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article and drink driving.

Defending, Harriet Heard said her client had already sought help with his drinking from doctors. He had an appointment arranged with addiction service Turning Point in the new year.

The solicitor said: “He certainly did not mean to scare the ambulance staff. It is clear he called them initially because he was drunk and needed help.”

He had not produced the knife in order to threaten the paramedics. The blade was out in the kitchen as he had been cutting carrots before the ambulance crew arrived.

“It is not as if he’s had it out deliberately to harm anyone. He was in a terrible state and he was actually concerned they were leaving without helping him. Effectively, he was trying to get them back and I think deep down he wanted to be arrested to get help,” Ms Heard told magistrates.

His alcoholism was such that his doctors had advised him not to drink less than half a litre of alcohol a day, although he had detoxed in the weekend he had been held by police.

He had no previous convictions and was currently signed off work.

Magistrates imposed 16 weeks’ imprisonment suspended for 18 months. Chairman of the bench Jane Durrant said: “You called the ambulance to help you and put them in fear because you had a knife and then attempted to drive away whilst under the influence of alcohol.”

He was banned from driving for 30 months, given a 10 week curfew and 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days. The JPs ordered he pay £85 costs and a £128 victim surcharge.