A BEWSEY thug ‘terrified’ children playing in a park as he walked around holding a machete.

Christopher Macnab was hunted down by the parent of a frightened child who began screaming when they saw him stood with the blade on display in a public park on Winwick Road.

Prosecuting, Joshua Sanderson-Kirk said the incident took place on June 27.

Liverpool Crown Court heard on Thursday how a child who had been playing on the park ran over to their parent screaming after seeing the offender.

The parent immediately went over to approach Macnab who attempted to make a quick exit on his bike before falling off it.

A 999 call was made, and officers attended the scene where the member of the public had successfully the restrained the defendant and he was then arrested and taken in for questioning.

Mr Sanderson-Kirk said: “He told police he bought the machete in a shop and that he thought he could have it out in public.”

The 31-year-old has 61 previous convictions from 150 offences, three of which were weapon offences.

Defending, Jeremy Rawson said: “He regrets bitterly the situation.”

Concluding, Recorder Harrington said: “You have a terrible record of offending. On the day in question, you were in a park in Warrington.

“The children who were present and saw you were terrified.

“A brave member of the public stood up to you. Given the circumstances of this case, it is too serious to have anything but a custodial sentence.”

Macnab, of Plumtre Avenue, was handed an 18-month sentence and an order of deprivation was issued for the weapon.