A MAN risked activating a suspended prison sentence by becoming involved in a drunken street row, while brandishing a knife, a court heard.

But, due to his efforts curbing his previous heavy drinking and drug abuse, Nathan Snowdon was given a further reprieve from being sent behind bars.

Durham Crown Court was told he was arrested after police were summoned by neighbours, in Seaham, reporting a commotion in the street in which a man was seen carrying a knife, on November 11, last year.

Officers went to Snowdon’s home, having received updated information that he was the person seen with the knife.

He was arrested and subsequently told police that he became involved in a row with people who had been at his home drinking.

It spilled outside, where he accepted having held a knife.

Snowdon, 24, of Fox Street, Seaham, admitted possessing a knife in public.

The court heard the offence put him in breach of a 16-week suspended sentence.

Jamie Adams, mitigating, said despite his previous problems with drink and drugs, Snowdon no longer takes cannabis and has drastically cut his drink consumption.

He has also worked with the community psychiatric service to address issues of mental health well-being.

Judge Simon Hickey said he did not want to jeopardise Snowdon’s efforts addressing his various issues and so imposed a 13-month prison sentence, with the 16-weeks’ suspended sentence added, but all suspended for a further year.

He also made him subject of a two-month 7pm - 7am home curfew.