A MAN who showed a receptionist a knife and said he was going to stab someone, has been given a three-year community order.

Paul Brown ranted at reception staff at the Mind hostel, in Borough Road, Darlington, saying someone had kicked his front door in, Teesside Crown Court heard.

The receptionist had tried to get Brown, a former resident of the hostel, to calm down, the court was told.

Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, said: "He said he was going to stab someone. It is fair to say he was looking out of the window as he said it, but he partially held a knife from his jeans pocket."

The defendant then left the building and the staff called police.

Police attended Brown's address in Sanderson Street with an armed response unit. They recovered an 8in kitchen knife from the kitchen.

Graeme Gaston, mitigating, said the defendant had had numerous difficulties in his life and had also had drugs misuse issues.

Mr Gaston said no violence was used and the defendant had shown remorse.

Brown, 33, pleaded guilty to affray and possessing an article with a blade. He was sentenced to a three-year community order.