Gravesend: A former friend and colleague of killer cop PC Karl Bluestone threatened to kill his girlfriend and lunged at fellow officers with a bayonet.

Just weeks after Bluestone murdered his wife and two of his children before committing suicide, PC Steven Tagg attacked two colleagues with a crudely fashioned "spear", a court heard.

But Tagg, who admitted two counts of assault and making a death threat, escaped jail with 240 hours community service because it was an isolated incident, magistrates said.

North Kent officer Tagg, aged 45, of Kent Road, Gravesend, left a series of "progressively violent" messages on Dolores Reid's answerphone, ending in threats to stab her.

She called police on September 11 fearing for her life.

Tagg told a colleague at Gravesend police station after his arrest he had "every intention" of carrying them through.

Responding to the call, PCs Ronald Murray and Anthony Francis found Tagg at home in a "frenzied state" brandishing the weapon tied to a 2ft-long wooden stick.

Like Bluestone, he was said to have been on the verge of a breakdown when the incident happened four days before he was due to retire on health grounds.

Prosecuting, Gareth Nicholl, told Dartford Magistrates' Court the two officers managed to overpower and arrest him, despite nearly being hit when the bayonet, used by Home Guards, fell to the floor during the struggle.

He added: "They were in fear of their lives. Both officers suffered severe shock and anxiety as a result of this."

Tagg, a collector of military memorabilia, lost control when his three-and-a-half-year relationship with shopworker Miss Reid broke down.

Alistair Dickson, defending, said: "It's important to look at this in an emotional context.

"He was, at that time, at the point of emotional collapse.

"The job of a police officer these days is not an easy one."

He pleaded with magistrates to spare Tagg jail saying he had been punished enough, having spent five weeks locked up fearing inmates would find out who he was.

Sentencing, magistrate Patricia Bosley said: "We have taken into account your guilty plea and background.

"In the case of your conduct with the officers, we accept it was isolated but it was ill-judged and impulsive."

Tagg, who has now left the force after 15 years as a police officer, will not face any disciplinary action.

He left the court with his son and father who had watched the case from the public gallery.

October 24, 2001 16:00