A RECOVERING heroin addict had a kitchen knife in his pocket in a Chester street but “didn’t know why”, a court heard.

George Trow, 42, told police officers he had become confused after an administration error with his repeat prescription meant he could not take his usual medicine.

CCTV operators had spotted him acting strangely on Western Avenue in Blacon at around 1.45pm on March 17 this year.

He was walking up and down the road, passing a number of children, before ending up near the shops and taking a knife from his pocket.

Police were swiftly called to the scene whereupon Trow ran away, bolting into his garden and throwing the knife into a bush.

He was threatened with a taser before being arrested. The officers then recovered the kitchen knife.

“In his interview he said he couldn’t remember the incident and didn’t know why he had the knife on him or why he had taken it out of his house,” Mr Youds said.

Trow made full admissions and later pleaded guilty to one charge of possessing a knife in a public place.

It emerged he has 21 previous convictions spanning 81 offences, most of which relate to theft and dishonesty matters.

In his defence, the court heard that Trow had “difficulties with his mental health” but had successfully overcome his drug addiction.

He plans to marry his fiancée this summer and now knows to attend at A&E if he ever experiences problems with his repeat prescription again.

Magistrates sentenced him to four months in prison but agreed to suspend the sentence for two years.

Trow, who lives on Western Avenue, must complete a rehabilitation activity as well as pay £85 court costs and a £115 victim surcharge, which will be deducted from his benefits.

Magistrates also ordered that the kitchen knife be destroyed.