A 34-year-old man has been sentenced to six months in prison for brandishing a weapon in public.

Jamie Streak pleaded guilty to the crime after police were called when a member of the public saw him holding a large kitchen knife late at night in Bermondsey.

Upon his arrest, police officers also discovered a black balaclava in his bag alongside the knife.

Streak told the officers that the knife was for his own protection, claiming that there were “people out to get him” in Bermondsey.

The man who made the call alerting the police to Streak’s behaviour, however, said that Streak had approached him asking for cigarettes before bringing out the weapon.

Police on the scene also determined that Mr Streak had been drinking.

The police report also outlined how Mr Streak had said that he was “prepared to kill to defend himself.”

He chose to defend himself at court via video-link from Thameside Prison.

The judge warned the defendant that accepting legal aid could help him ensure a shorter sentence.

This was not the defendant’s first conviction. He had six prior convictions for similar offences, the most recent for brandishing a weapon in a shop and threatening members of the public.

Mr Streak told the court of his struggle with anxiety and history of mental health problems.

The judge was also made aware of the recent passing of the defendant’s father and his mother’s ongoing serious health issues.

Taking this into account, the judge sentenced Mr Streak to the minimum sentence of 6 months in prison.

London news