A DRUNKEN teenager brandished a penknife at door staff after they refused to allow him into a nightclub.

Bolton Crown Court heard how 18-year-old Adam Walker had been drinking vodka with his friends in Bolton on the night of March 2.

At 2.30am they decided to go to the Level nightclub in Nelson Square.

Brian Berlyne, prosecuting, told Judge Timothy Stead, that when doormen stopped Walker going inside because he was drunk, he started shouting at them.

Walker's friends tried to move him away from the club but, within a few seconds, he broke away and headed back to the door staff.

"He was shouting abuse and threats," said Mr Berlyne.

"It became apparent, as Mr Walker approached the door staff, that he had a knife in his hand.

"Mr Walker took a swing towards the door staff with the knife."

Fortunately, he was not close enough to cause injury.

"He was clearly unsteady on his feet," said Mr Berlyne. "He was taken to the ground by the door staff and the knife was recovered."

Judge Stead commented: "The blade that he swung didn't seem to me to come especially close to the door men.

"The way I read it was that it was a threatening action rather than an attempt to make connection with anyone."

The judge added that the nightclub's door staff should be praised for the way they handled the situation.

"The doormen are to be commended for their composure and good sense. Without any excess force they put an end to it," he added.

The court heard that Walker, of The Avenue, Leigh, has no previous convictions and had bought a bottle of vodka that evening with friends.

Kirstin Beswick, defending, said that Walker was so drunk that he can remember nothing of what happened that night before he woke up in a police cell.

The teenager, who works in the catering industry and had hopes of joining the Royal Navy, broke down in tears when told about his behaviour.

"Ever since he has sobered up he has been appalled at what he had done," said Judge Stead.

Miss Beswick stated that Walker, who pleaded guilty to affray, has stayed at home since the incident. The teenager sobbed in the dock throughout the sentencing hearing.

Judge Stead stressed that, usually for such offences, defendants are immediately imprisoned.

Instead, he sentenced Walker to 10 months in a young offenders' institution, suspended for two years. He will also be subject to a 10pm to 6am curfew for 90 days, must participate in rehabilitation activities for six months and pay £340 towards prosecution costs.

Judge Stead told him: "Its a profound disappointment, I think, to yourself as well as the court and, certainly, your family that you find yourself here at all. I am completely satisfied that you are genuinely filled with remorse.

"I do not think that this court will see you again. You have every opportunity to make something of your life and I hope you do so."