A 'CONFUSED' man who spent 20 hours in a police cell after he took an axe into a pub believes the incident could have been avoided if more help was available for people in crisis. Jason Spicer, of Jubilee Close, Dartmouth, is calling for better services for people with mental health problems. Jason, who suffers from what he describes as 'pent up emotional problems and anxiety in difficult situations', says he has been waiting months for an appointment with local mental health services. 'If I could have spoken to someone, things might not have got out of hand,' he said. 'As it happens, I was in a merry mood but in a distressed state when I walked into the Dolphin Inn. 'My emotions got the better of me and it was misconstrued that I was some madman wielding an axe and could be dangerous.' The landlord of the public house in Market Street put the axe behind the counter but Jason, 42, was later arrested by police on the quay. 'Six police officers turned up and I felt threatened and upset,' said Jason. 'If I could have spoken to somebody and had more support then things might have been different. 'Mental health problems affect the way you think and feel and behave and there is real lack of resources for people in Dartmouth and the surrounding area.' He was taken to Torquay police station where he spent the night in a cell and was later cautioned and released without charge. Jason said he had bought the axe the day before from a store in the town day for his hobby of bushcraft. 'I didn't mean to scare anybody,' he said. ' I'm working hard to get my life back on track and it's difficult and the bushcraft is a means to try to help me relax.' South Hams MP Dr Sarah Wollaston, who has just been elected to chairman of the Commons Health Select Committee, said she did not wish to comment on an individual case she was unaware of but was happy to try to be of assistance if Jason would like to contact her. 'On a wider note, the select committee is currently conducting an inquiry into CAMHS, Children's and Adolescent Mental Health Services,' she said. 'We have been hearing from witnesses highlighting problems in access to services at all levels across the country, as well as suggesting ways of improving them. 'I have long campaigned for improvements to mental health services and would like to see parity of esteem implemented as legislated for and directed in the mandate to NHS England. 'I'm glad that has already led to improvements in access to psychological therapies but would also like to see greater practical support for those in distress. 'I have also called for an end to the use of cells, other than in very exceptional circumstances, for assessing those in mental health crisis, and improvements in supporting back to work those who have recovered.' A spokesman for Devon Partnership NHS Trust said: 'We have been providing support since this incident occurred and are trying to work with Mr Spicer to arange further support for him as soon as possible.'