Customers disarm knife-man in pub

Two customers disarmed a man who was waving a large knife in a busy pub.

Steven Stone pulled the machete-type weapon from the back of his trousers during a discussion with a woman at the Black Swan, in Coningsby, Lincolnshire, on the evening of 6 July.

The two patrons stepped in when Stone began to "wield the knife around in the air", Lincolnshire Police said.

Stone, 34, of Milson Close in the town, was jailed for one year and one month following a hearing at Lincoln Crown Court on 9 August.

Police were called to the pub shortly after 23:00 BST. Stone fled, but was found by officers in Park Lane.

He pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article in a public place, possession of cocaine and possession of cannabis.

The court ordered Stone to pay £187 in costs and banned him from entering the Black Swan for two years.

While no significant injuries were sustained during the "isolated" incident, Sgt Robert Sim said it "could have ended very differently”.

Stone had "thought without any hesitation to pull the knife out" while customers "were happily enjoying their evening", Sgt Sim added.

"His actions led to larger disorder within the pub which caused members of the public to fear for their safety."

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