Bristol man sentenced to two years for sword and crossbow threats on riverbank

Warwick Harrison, 44, of Southville, was sentenced to two years in prison on Thursday after threatening a fellow houseboat owner with a sword and later aiming a loaded crossbow at armed police officers. The incident occurred on August 24 near Weston Lock in Bath, a popular tourist area along the River Avon.

Harrison approached the moored vessel of Edward Dorris, who was preparing dinner, and brandished a sword from the riverbank. He claimed the mooring pitch belonged to him and instructed Dorris to pack his belongings and leave. Harrison told Dorris, “You’re leaving or you’re getting this,” while holding the blade.

As Harrison departed the scene, he shouted “leave or else.” He then destroyed a bird feeder and a television aerial belonging to Dorris before casting his sword into the river. Reports of a large bladed weapon prompted the arrival of armed police officers to the location.

Harrison drove past the responding officers in his own houseboat. During this pass, he aimed a loaded crossbow at the gun-toting officers and shouted, “one of you’s getting it.” Police eventually persuaded him to park his boat and surrender. No shots were fired during the confrontation.

At Bristol Crown Court, Judge Julian Lambert delivered the two-year custodial sentence. The judge noted that Harrison was drunk and under the influence of drugs on the day of the offense. He stated that a crossbow can be as deadly as a firearm and that individuals threatening armed police risk being shot.

“Fortunately for you that did not happen in this case but there would have been one person to blame had that happened and it would have been you,” Judge Lambert said. The judge added that the offense was so serious that only immediate custody was appropriate, rejecting a defense argument for a suspended sentence.

Edward Dorris did not attend the sentencing hearing. Prosecuting barrister Rachael Stitt read a statement from Dorris, who described the incident as having a devastating toll on his life. Dorris said, “I was in total disbelief, I couldn’t believe my eyes,” and “I didn’t know what to do, I thought I was dead.”

Dorris explained that the confrontation left him fearful of leaving his houseboat and worried about encountering Harrison, even while Harrison was in custody. He stated, “Since this incident I can’t enjoy myself, I’m no fun,” and “I’m constantly on edge and I don’t feel safe in my own home.”

Detective Constable Matilda Dowsing, the officer in charge of the case, praised the professional de-escalation by the armed police unit. She noted that the incident took place in a busy part of Bath during the height of summer and that public safety remained the priority. She said, “The custodial sentence handed out today shows the seriousness of the offences committed and we hope provides reassurance to the public that weapons offences will not be tolerated.”

Harrison, who had previous convictions for violence and alcohol-related offenses but had not troubled the courts since 2013, thanked the judge before being led to the cells. He was wearing a grey tracksuit top and glasses during the sentencing.