A MAN was seen to throw away a large kitchen knife when police arrived at a town centre pub to attend a report of “an on-going incident”.

One officer believed Corey Morton and another man were arguing in the street outside the Market Tavern, in South Burns, Chester-le-Street, on arrival at 10.15pm on Sunday August 31.

Durham Crown Court was told Morton was holding a knife behind his back and threw it away when police appeared on the scene.

Martin Towers, prosecuting, said the 8in-bladed knife was recovered from beside a nearby tree.

Morton, who appeared drunk, gave a false name when arrested, and was threatening to the officers.

He later told police he could not recall the incident and claimed he did not recognise the knife, but apologised for his behaviour to the police.

Twenty-year-old Morton, of Pelaw Bank, Chester-le-Street, admitted having a bladed article in public.

The court heard he has two previous convictions for being drunk and disorderly.

Stuart Graham, mitigating, said it was “bizarre” that Morton was seen with the knife as he could not recall being in an argument, a claim backed by the other man at the scene, with whom he had been drinking through the day.

He added that Morton probably had too much to drink that day in solace after the break-up of a relationship.

Recorder Jeremy Hill-Baker imposed a two month prison sentence suspended for two years, with a nine-month probation supervision order to include work addressing alcohol misuse.

Morton was also ordered to pay £200 costs.