A MAN who was caught carrying a knife at Bolton's Market Place shopping centre has been jailed for six months.

Bolton Crown Court heard how police received an anonymous tip off from a member of the public on November 23 that a man at the shopping centre was wandering around with a knife tucked into his trousers.

John Richards, prosecuting, told Recorder Ian Unsworth QC how police spotted David Gidman coming out of the shopping centre and blocked his way with their vehicle.

They recognised him from the description of his distinctive clothing —green trousers, grey coat and orange hood.

Mr Richards said that when officers ordered him to put his hands on his head he refused and they had to threaten him with using a Taser before he complied and was arrested.

When he was searched officers found a curved, blue handled knife on him which had a four inch blade.

He told police he was carrying the weapon for protection as he had been released from prison recently, a group of men were after him and a short time ago, he had been run over.

Gidman, aged 39, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to possessing a knife in public.

The court heard that he has an extensive criminal record, including a seven year prison sentence for robbery and has also been convicted of possessing a knife on three previous occasions.