A MAN who got into an altercation in Chester city centre had a knife on him.

Kevin John Phillips, 46, of Fron Goch, Ruabon, Wrexham, pleaded guilty at the first opportunity to threatening behaviour and possession of a knife in a public place, when he appeared at Chester Magistrates Court on Tuesday, January 24.

Prosecuting, Alan Currums said it was at 7.30pm on January 3 when CCTV operators in Chester city centre reported a fight between two men in Foregate Street. When police arrived, they found the two men had gone their separate ways and asked a man in a black coat - the defendant - about the physical altercation, which had ended up with both men on the floor.

Phillips said the other man had owed him money and the issue was resolved in the incident. He also told police he had a small craft knife on him in his bag.

In police interview, Phillips said he had thrown a punch to the other man, and accepted the man in the CCTV footage was him, and his behaviour would likely cause "alarm and distress to others".

The knife had remained inside the bag at all times and he had not intended to use it during the altercation.

Phillips told police he had stopped at a friend's address and picked up the knife there.

His last conviction was for shoplifting in 2013.

A pre-sentence report said Phillips was "open and honest" and had moved away from "negative peers". He had sustained an injury in 2008 when he was attacked with a hammer, and had increased his drug use since then.

Defending, Andy Holliday said Phillips had been "incredibly co-operative" with officers at the scene, and said he was "sorry" for how he had behaved in a "heat of the moment" incident.

Having the knife in a public place was a "stupid mistake".

Magistrates imposed a four-month custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months.

During those 12 months, Phillips must complete 25 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement.

He must also pay a £154 victim surcharge and £120 court costs.