Teesside thug jailed for threatening two men with a knife

Jonathan Passman was caught on CCTV pulling the knife out of his pocket and threatening the men before they fled the scene.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the 26-year-old had a history of weapons offences and already served one sentence for carrying a knife.

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Matthew Hopkins, prosecuting, said the confrontation happened outside Hume House in Stockton at about 8.30am on October 16 last year.

He said: “He had an argument with two people and pulled the knife out of his pocket and pointed it towards them. He then took a couple of steps towards them.

“He didn’t do anything with the knife.”

Mr Hopkins said the defendant had 13 previous convictions for 28 offences, including being caught in possession of a knife while attending a crowded fireworks display in Stockton town centre in 2019.

Passman, of Folkstone Close, Hemlington, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to possession of a knife in a public place.

Gary Wood, mitigating, said his client had suffered from alcohol and drug problems in the past but was working on them while he has been remanded in custody.

He added: “He accepts it is an immediate custodial sentence that he is facing.”

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Recorder Aisha Wadoodi jailed Passman for 11 months for his second weapon offence.

She said: “In quite worrying circumstances, you pulled a knife out on two people. It was a short period of time but you did point it at them.

“The police arrived but the knife wasn’t recovered – when you were arrested, you went no comment in interview and that is a worry.”