Man wound up in court after police helped him find his key and he handed over a nine-inch knife
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Officers were assisting Mark Thompson, who seemed in a "confused state" at his door in South Shields on September 25 last year.
Prosecutor Marc Atkins told Newcastle Crown Court: "One of the officers assisted the defendant by searching him for his key.
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Hide Ad"At that point the defendant pulled a knife, approximately nine inches in length, from his waistband and handed the knife to the officer."
The court heard the 39-year-old was taken to South Shields police station but gave no reasonable explanation for having the weapon.
Thompson, of no fixed address admitted possessing a bladed article.
Judge Stephen Earl sentenced Thompson to eight months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with rehabilitation requirements.
The judge warned Thompson he must "stay out of bother".
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Hide AdVic Laffey, defending, said no serious alarm or distress was caused by the offence.