A MAN who brought part of a town to a standstill after possessing a kitchen knife in the street while posting a live video of himself on social media has avoided a jail sentence.

Davide Sardu, of Bondgate, Darlington, was arrested following a disturbance in the town on January 8.

The 42-year-old appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (February 10), after previously pleading guilty to possession of a knife in a public place and to resisting a police officer.

Magistrates heard Sardu had been in Bondgate Tavern prior to the incident but was asked to leave when he was seen with a knife.

Sardu, who had been the victim of an assault days before the incident, had been asking pub staff about whether they recognised anyone in a video he had of his attackers.

Read more: Darlington man in court after brandishing knife in Bondgate

The Northern Echo: Davide Sardu filmed a Facebook Live video while brandishing a knife. Picture: FacebookDavide Sardu filmed a Facebook Live video while brandishing a knife. Picture: Facebook

At an earlier hearing Joanne Hesse, prosecuting, told the court he had produced a knife from his coat pocket, telling people “I need this for protection”.

She added: “He was asked to leave and he started to live stream himself on Facebook, showing himself walking down Bondgate.

“He brandished a kitchen knife, with a fixed blade in clear view.

“He continued brandishing the knife, saying ‘I have to have the knife to be protected, I’ll kill everyone, I’ll kill you, next time I’m f***ing killing you.’”

He then entered his flat and when police attended refused to leave for about an hour and twenty minutes.

The Northern Echo: Police rushed to the Bondgate area after receiving a report of the incident. Picture: The Northern EchoPolice rushed to the Bondgate area after receiving a report of the incident. Picture: The Northern Echo

Sardu, who has no previous convictions, admitted both charges.

He continued to publish live streams on social media after entering his flat, which show him shouting with police officers and asking them to leave him alone. 

The court heard Sardu, who is Italian, had not thought carrying the knife was a crime.

Stephen Andrews, who was representing Sardu, said: “The defendant’s position is that he fully accepts that the knife was about his person. He fully accepts it was about his person for the purpose of public protection because he himself had been subjected to a violent attack just days before this incident.

“He didn’t actually realise he was committing an offence by having it about his person."

He added: “Nobody was threatened directly with the blade.”

Mr Andrews said he had barricaded himself in his flat because he was confused about the police’s involvement and was living in a "state of fear".

Ahead of sentencing on Thursday, Mr Andrews said of Sardu: "I am absolutely confident you will not see this gentleman again. I can say with confidence he will not commit further offences."

The Northern Echo: Davide Sardu outside Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court at an earlier hearing in January. Picture: The Northern EchoDavide Sardu outside Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court at an earlier hearing in January. Picture: The Northern Echo

Sardu was handed a 12 month community order and a further order was made to destroy the knife. 

Magistrates told the 42-year-old: "We have taken this route because of your previous good character. This is a serious matter and could have warranted a custodial sentence but we feel this will be more beneficial. 

"You won't be going to prison today."

Sardu was also ordered to pay a £95 victim surcharge and costs worth £85. 

However he raised concerns about how he would be able to pay as he is currently unemployed. 

Sardu said: "I don't know if I will be able to cover all these costs. I have nothing in my bank account so I don't know how I would be able to pay it."

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