A MAN who admitted being in possession of a knife in public has been sent to prison.

Clint Chappell was also acting in a threatening and abusive manner.

The 50-year-old appeared before Warrington Magistrates’ Court to face a charge of using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress

He was also charged with possessing a knife in a public place.

Lynne Sayers, prosecuting on behalf of the Crown Prosecution Service, told the court how both offences were committed on November 28 in Warrington.

While on Lovely Lane, Chappell was in possession of a Stanley knife ‘without good reason or lawful authority’.

He also used threatening, abusive or disorderly words or behaviour within the hearing range or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress.

Magistrates said they would take the defendant’s guilty plea taken into account, however they said that only a custodial sentence can be justified.

This was due to the severity of the offending, and the fact that it involved a weapon.

Chappell, of no fixed abode, but of Warrington, was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison.

He was also ordered to pay costs to the Crown Prosecution Service of £120 and a statutory surcharge to fund victim services of £154.

An application was approved for these to be deducted from his benefits.