A MAN who had drunk 12 pints of lager picked up a kitchen knife and tried to start a fight, a court was told.

Michael Roberts, of Over Dinsdale, Darlington, admitted possessing a kitchen knife in a public place and threatening behaviour, when he appeared before South Durham Magistrates in the town yesterday.

The 22-year-old had been drinking heavily during a night out in the town centre when the incident occurred, on March 19.

The court heard that he began arguing with Jonothan Barcher, who had also been drinking with friends.

After Roberts drank the lager, he got in a taxi and went to a friend's house, where he picked up the knife and left to go to a nearby petrol station.

On his way back, he saw Mr Barcher and the pair began to argue.

Roberts produced the knife and asked Mr Barcher if he wanted a fight, but he retreated and walked away.

Defence solicitor Jonathan Willis told the court this was an unfortunate incident, fuelled by alcohol.

"He had no intention of ever using the knife," he said.

Roberts was given credit for his early guilty plea and was given 100 hours of community service and to pay court costs of £34