A psychotic man who pulled a knife out after he was stopped for drink driving near his home has walked away from court.
Adam Arnetti was arrested as he reversed his car in Spennymoor at around 8pm on May 28, this year.
The 34-year-old was found to be over the drink-drive limit when officers arrested him, Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard.
John Garside, prosecuting, said Arnetti produced the knife when he was confronted by the officers.
He said: “The most serious offence is the possession of a bladed article as he has previous offences on his record.”
Arnetti, of Craddock Street, Spennymoor, admitted drink driving, driving without a full licence, driving without insurance and possession of a bladed article.
Josh Hart, mitigating, said his client was suffering from psychosis around the time of the offence and believed his neighbours had been giving him homophobic abuse.
He added: “He was subject to a community psychiatric nurse and had been unwell for some time.
“At the time of the offences he was deteriorating and was so unwell that he was detained under the mental health act.”
John Hames, the chairman of the magistrates’ bench, sentenced Arnetti to four-months in prison suspended for 12 months.
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He said: “We are of the view that this has passed the custody threshold but we have taken into account that you have had treatment for mental health issues.
“We are not going to impose an immediate prison sentence; you are being given a suspended sentence.”
Arnetti was ordered to attend 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days with the Probation Service and was disqualified from driving for 12 months.
The drink driver was also ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £154 victim surcharge.
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