A MAN who rang police claiming to have been attacked by two samurai swordsmen was found to be the assailant, a court heard.

Police soon discovered that 20-year-old Dane Johnson was the aggressor, but had been disarmed by one of his victims, who has martial arts skills.

Johnson, who claimed he was taking the swords to hand in as part of a police amnesty, was yesterday sent to a young offenders' institution for 15 months.

Mark Giuliani, prosecuting, told Durham Crown Court that Johnson called 999 to report being attacked by two men armed with samurai swords.

Mr Giuliani said Johnson claimed to have been the injured party, but when the officers reached the scene, outside the Central Club, in Stanley, they found that the other two had been injured.

Mr Giuliani said: "Johnson claimed he had been attacked by two friends but, in fact, one of the men knew martial arts and had managed to disarm Johnson.

"When he was asked why he had the samurai swords, Johnson told the officers he was taking them to a police station under an amnesty."

Mr Giuliani said the two victims were treated in hospital for cuts to their hands, while one was also suffering a back injury.

Johnson, 20, of Brook Close, Stanley, admitted a charge of affray, arising from the incident on August 19 last year.

David Callan, for Johnson, said: "There is no mitigation in this case, as he can't remember anything about it.

"He had drunk too much and had also taken valium."

But Mr Callan said, since the offence, Johnson has been on a course to help him curb his excessive drinking and has found work as a roofer.

Judge Guy Whitburn told Johnson: "You were on bail for another matter when his rather confused incident took place.

"The victims in this case suffered serious cuts."

Imposing the young offenders' institution sentence, Judge Whitburn added: "Any use of a weapon is an imprisonable offence and you will go into custody."