A MAN who threatened to stab a friend with a kitchen knife has been sentenced to ten months in jail.

Shaun Cox waved the knife in the street and hurled abuse at Paul Harnett after the pair had an argument.

Sedgefield Magistrates' Court heard the dispute was sparked when Cox, 22, of Faulkner Road, Newton Aycliffe, was kicked out of a house he was sharing with Dawn Clarke, in Alston Crescent, Newton Aycliffe.

Cox, who suffers from mental health problems, became abusive when he was asked to leave on the evening of July 15.

After he had gone, Ms Clarke also left the house with her friend, Mr Harnett, but when they returned, Cox walked back into the house.

He was asked to leave again, but once outside he threatened to smash the windows and was seen waving a kitchen knife.

Sheila Moore, prosecuting, said: "Mr Harnett firmly believed the defendant was going to damage the house and carry out his threat of physical violence."

Leanne Steinburg, for Cox, said: "He is not solely to blame here, but he admits that his behaviour was out of order."

Cox admitted threatening to destroy property, threatening behaviour, and possessing an offensive weapon.

He also admitted three separate offences of driving while disqualified, driving without a licence, and obstructing a police officer.