A serial criminal who was spotted on CCTV waving a knife around in a town centre as he argued with his partner has been locked up.

Kevin Scott had earlier been assaulted while he was out in Stockton and when he came back to the High Street to meet his partner, he brought with him a large knife.

The 32-year-old was observed arguing with the woman before pulling the knife from his waistband and waving it around before his girlfriend tried to hide it from police when they arrived on the scene.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the defendant was threatened with a Taser when he became aggressive and abusive while he was being arrested in the street at around 1.30am on April 29.

Scott, of Walton Street, Stockton, pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article and obstructing a police officer in the course of his duties.

The court heard how he had 32 convictions for 71 offences including three weapons charges.

Jonathan Gittins, mitigating, said his client realised how ‘stupid’ it was to bring the knife into the town centre following his own assault.

He said: “You can see on the CCTV the row between the two of them which is his partner being told he has brought this weapon and she is clearly unhappy.”

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Recorder Thomas Moran jailed Scott for eight months after hearing an outline of his previous convictions including a robbery and possession of CS gas.

He said: “You made the foolish decision to go out with a knife. It is the sort of knife which has on several occasions led to very serious consequences and even death.

“That’s how serious it is to take out that sort of knife when there is a risk of confrontation.

“You waved it around briefly and then put it back away in your waistband.”