A MAN concealed a meat cleaver within his clothing at a nightclub as “protection” against people with whom he was in debt, a court heard.

The knife was spotted protruding from Anthony Sean Price’s trousers by a customer at Roxy’s in Chester-le-Street, shortly after 2am on Saturday, September 6.

Durham Crown Court heard it was reported to staff who seized it from Price.

Penny Bottomley, prosecuting, said the wooden-handled knife had an estimated 6ins-long blade.

It was reported to police and Price was arrested.

He admitted carrying it “for protection”, but he refused to give further details, telling police he was, “no grass”.

But he claimed he would only use the knife, if confronted.

The court heard Price has no convictions for carrying knives or other weapons, but has two previous offences for assaulting police, the most recent of which earned him a 12-month prison sentence, in July last year.

Price, 23, of The Crescent, Chester-le-Street, admitted a charge of carrying an offensive weapon.

Liam O’Brien, mitigating, told the court: “Other than those two police assaults, he has no long history of violent offences.

“This is clearly way past anything he has done previously.

“He made this foolish decision in fear for his safety, but he accepts it wasn’t an appropriate excuse.”

Mr O’Brien said Price’s alcohol problem, since the age of 17, led to him staying at a hostel for homeless men, but he fell behind with weekly £30 payments and resorted to borrowing money.

But, when he failed to meet the agreed double repayments, he was warned violence would be used against him.

Jailing him for eight months, Judge Christopher Prince described the knife as, “a vicious weapon”, which, if produced, posed a risk of serious injury being inflicted.

The judge ordered forfeiture and destruction of the meat cleaver.