A suicidal man who had to be Tasered by police officers after threatening them with four knives has been jailed for two years and five months.

Myles Priestley later declared that the violent confrontation was a potential way of ending his life by “death by cop”.

The 38-year-old called 999 at 5.30am on May 28 and told the operator he had a knife and to send officers to his home in Montfort Road, Strood.

“Bring as many as you can because they ain’t taking me down,” he threatened. “I have had enough of people taking the ---- out of me.

“I am going to have a couple of knives and see how many of them take me down. Shall I just go out and take it out on innocent people?

“I will be standing there in the road with a few knives and see who brings it on. Either that or I am going to kill my ex-wife.

“You had best send plenty of them because I am going to have the -----. It took six of them last time.”

Prosecutor Adrian Crossley said Priestley hung up after saying: “See ya.”

Two officers arrived to find Priestley in the street holding four knives. He walked towards them holding them in the air, goading: “Come on then, ------- do it.”

Video: Police Taser Priestley after he threatened them with knives

He was told not to go any closer but continued to advance. The officers drew their Tasers.

Priestley dropped two of the weapons. He backed off with a knife in each hand. He continued to shout and threaten the officers.

Fearing for his safety, one of the PCs Tasered Priestley,

“It caused him to collapse immediately on the road and drop both knives,” Mr Crossley told Maidstone Crown Court today.

“He continued to be aggressive when arrested, also to paramedics who tried to help him.”

He kicked one of the officers in the shin before being arrested. One of the weapons was a combat knife with an 8in blade.

Priestley, who has since moved into his parents’ home in Vidgeon Road, Hoo, admitted threatening a person with a blade and assault.

Judge Heather Baucher told him: “The events on that day were no doubt terrifying for the officers concerned and members of the public.

“In the end Tasers stopped you from using the knives. We know this was filmed by a member of the public and put on Facebook.”

The judge added: “Knife crime must be considered a serious matter because of the current climate and public concern about knives being used on the street.”

John Livingston, defending, said it was a serious incident and must have been frightening for those involved.

“You may think this suggests a cry for help,” he told the judge. “He said it was carried out as a potential way of committing suicide, by death by cop, that officers would shoot him.

"I am going to have a couple of knives and see how many of them take me down. Shall I just go out and take it out on innocent people?" - Myles Priestley

“He was in the depth of depression at the time. This is a man who needs ongoing support.

He has shown me various scars which indicate he has tried to commit suicide in the past.

“He was plainly drunk. He simply wanted to end it all. He wanted to try and get some help.”

Mr Livingston submitted a prison sentence could be suspended which would enable Priestley to continue to work and get help from mental health services.

“In the wider interests of the public as well as Mr Priestley you could show exceptional mercy,” he added.

“The public interest is best served by not taking his job and support network away.”