A MAN arrested for two knife carrying incidents in less than three months has been jailed for three years and two months.

Police were called to a house in Witton Gilbert near Durham following a report that Corey Dent was threatening his brother with a kitchen knife in the early hours of September 15.

Durham Crown Court heard that he held the knife to his brother’s throat at one point during the confrontation, but it was knocked from his hand.

Liam O’Brien, prosecuting, said when police arrived they separated the pair as they scuffled in the kitchen.

Dent was arrested and “exercised his right to silence.”

While on bail he was arrested again following a disturbance both outside and inside a Chinese takeaway in Witton Gilbert, on the evening of November 30.

Mr O’Brien said Dent, carrying an 8-10ins-bladed knife and a metal bar, threatened customers, passers-by outside and staff inside, including a pregnant cashier. He also damaged a parked car.

Police arrested Dent later at his home, from where they also recovered both the knife and the metal bar.

He told police he carried the weapons “for protection” as he had been threatened by youths, who officers were unable to trace.

Dent said he had taken a mixture of drugs and alcohol and explained that he lost his temper outside the takeaway as he saw someone in clothes better than those he was wearing.

The court heard that he has few convictions, but one was for carrying an imitation firearm on a bus and another offence involved him running round with a BB gun in the street.

Dent, 22, of Fair View, Witton Gilbert, admitted charges of affray, making threats to kill, damaging property and two of possessing an offensive weapon, relating to the takeaway incident.

He also admitted assault by beating and possessing a bladed article, stemming from the clash involving his brother.

Christopher Rose, mitigating, said: “He does seem to have a tendency to ‘blow up’ in public, involving him carrying dangerous weapons.”

Referring to a psychiatric report on the defendant, Mr Rose said: “It points to a number of problems in his life, but some are self inflicted through drugs misuse.

“While in custody, free from drugs and drink, he’s had a chance to think about his life.

“It may be more difficult, though, and he may need support when he’s back in the community.”

Jailing him, Judge Neil Clark said both were, “potentially very dangerous situations” for those confronted by Dent, whose behaviour under the influence of drink and drugs was, “clearly very erratic.”