Knife-waving man sent to prison by judge
The victim of a knife crime who took to carrying a 12 inch blade "for his own protection" has been jailed after drunkenly brandishing it at Shropshire pub staff.
Steven Kevin Paul Chapman, 25, of Whitchurch, was sentenced to eight months in prison after admitting possessing an offensive weapon and two public order offences.
Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday heard how Michael Smethurst, landlord of the Last Orders Pub, on Watergate, Whitchurch, asked Chapman to leave the premises on December 1.
"He went to a bin and Mr Smethurst saw him rummaging in the bin," said Mr Robert Edwards, prosecuting.
"The defendant then produced a long bladed bread or carving knife and waved it in the direction of Mr Smethhurst, saying the words stab or slash."
Chapman, of Matthew Henry Court, then put the knife down the front of his tracksuit bottoms and left the scene and the police were called.
About 10 minutes later, he appeared at the Red Lion Pub on High Street, where security staff asked to search him but he refused and he was asked to leave.
"Once outside he was seen pulling a knife from his waist band and pointing it towards the men saying 'come near and I will cut you'," said Mr Edwards.
The knife was handed to Judge Robin Onions who described it as: "A carving knife with a blade about 12 inches long, sharp and clearly a potentially deadly weapon."
Defending, Mr Andrew Holland, said: "On April 4 he himself was the victim of a knife crime.
"He took the knife out for protection and left it outside the club."
Judge Onions added: "You don't help these difficulties by abusing cannabis."
