A MAN who tried to hide a meat cleaver from police after brandishing it in a street has appeared at court.

Paul Robert Richard Jones, 34, was found with the knife on the evening of Saturday, May 9 in Horden after police received reports of a disturbance.

Joanne Hesse, prosecuting, said: "At around 10.40pm police arrived at South Terrace where the defendant was observed holding a meat cleaver with a black handle.

"He ran away but he was eventually detained and the meat cleaver was seized."

Jones, of Hamilton Street, Horden, pleaded guilty to possessing a bladed article in a public place on Saturday, May 9.

Jaxon Taylor, mitigating, said: "Police were called to an incident, when they arrived there was no incident ongoing. He was observed with the knife, he tried to hide it under a car, police found it and he was arrested.

"There is no evidence that anybody saw him with the knife or that anybody was scared, frightened or intimidated."

Jones was sentenced to three months in prison suspended for 12 months. He must also carry out 200 hours unpaid work and pay £128 victim surcharge and £85 costs.