Man with knife is sent back to prison

A knifeman who tapped on the windows of a hostel with a blade while shouting at staff inside has been put behind bars.

Police had been called to Swan Lodge in Sunderland on April 10 after reports that a man was carrying a knife.

Tyrone Richardson was spotted with his hands in his pockets and officers found the weapon, which had a three-inch blade, when he was searched.

Prosecutor Helen Towers told Newcastle Crown Court: "When CCTV was viewed it showed the defendant had attended and began shouting at staff fromtheoutside,tappingthe window with the knife."

Richardson, 33, of no fixed address, who has convictions for 89 previous offences, admitted possessing a bladed article.

The court heard he was on post-sentence supervisionafterapreviousjailterm atthetimeoftheoffenceand has past convictions involving weapons.

Jessica Slaughter, defending, told the court that Richardson has cerebral palsy and uses alcohol to self medicate the pain he suffers. Miss Slaughter said Richardson is in a "cycle" of being homeless and going to prison.

Mr Recorder Andrew Haslam QC jailed Richardson for eight months.

Recorder Haslam told him: "You have a bad record of previous offending, that might be down to the chaotic lifestyle you lead."

The judge added: "The CCTV footage of the incident revealed you shouting at members of staff at Swan Lodge and tapping the knife in your possession on the glass of the door and windows before returning it to your jacket."