Police rushed to an alleyway in Watford after a reports that a man was armed with two knives.

When they arrested builder Jack McHale near the Flag pub, he told them: "I am glad you found me first. If I got that guy who nutted me God forbid. I was so p...... off he had broken my nose."

At St Albans Crown Court on Tuesday (May 28) McHale, 30, of Grove Road, Borehamwood, was jailed for eight months after pleading guilty to two charges of possessing a knife.

Prosecutor Charles Judge said at around a quarter to one in the morning of Saturday November 10 the police received a call from a member of the public that a man armed with a large knife was in an alleyway near the Flag pub in Station Road.

They searched the area and found him with a bladed carving knife and a bread knife. When challenged, he put down the knives, saying he was glad they found him.

He declined to answer questions put to him later at Hatfield police station.

Mr Judge said McHale had 18 convictions for 26 offences and was in breach of a community order for criminal damage.

Defending, Gareth James said McHale had returned to his then home after being headbutted in the pub. He said the motivating factor in the offence was alcohol.

"He drinks to excess and does not behave rationally," he said.

Mr James asked the judge to pass a suspended prison sentence, but Judge Caroline Wigin jailed him, saying: "Having had an altercation you returned home to collect knives to pursue it. This is a serious matter."