Man wound up in court after police helped him find his key and he handed over a nine-inch knife
A man handed a knife to police who were helping him search for keys to get into his home.
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.
"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".
Vic Laffey, defending, said no serious alarm or distress was caused by the offence.