A SERIAL knifeman who attempted to evade police after being spotted with a weapon has been served a prison sentence by a crown court judge.

Manchester Crown Court heard how Daniel Dewhurst, of Newgate Drive, Little Hulton, pleaded guilty to carrying a seven-inch flat bladed kitchen knife last month.

The court was told how, shortly after 6pm on June 12, the 30-year-old was spotted by officers in an unmarked police vehicle on Old Lane, Little Hulton, after he ran out in front of them brandishing a knife.

Grace Laverty, prosecuting, said that Dewhurst was seen to be in the company of another man at the time, as well as his mother.

Ms Laverty said: “He attempted to evade police and, while being pursued, he threw the knife under another vehicle in a bid to dispose of it.”

Dewhurst is a serial offender, the court heard, having had 15 previous convictions for 34 offences dating back to 2008 - many of them involving carrying a knife.

In mitigation, defence lawyer Martin Sharpe told the court: “My client knows that he is going to jail. The best defence is his guilty plea.

“He has had problems with addiction for a number of years and consumes crack cocaine, heroin and alcohol on a daily basis.

"This stems from having a number of problems during childhood.

“I admit that he has a high risk of reoffending.”

Passing sentence, Judge Hilary Manley told Dewhurst: “I appreciate that you were not particularly using the knife in attempt to frighten anyone.

“But you are a habitual carrier of knives and the sentence I give you has to reflect that

"Carrying a knife brings the risk of causing serious harm to others and is never acceptable.”

He was sentenced to 12 months in prison and must pay a victim surcharge.