A teenager lunged at a man with a six inch knife during a brawl outside a pub.
The 17-year-old from Macclesfield, who cannot be named for legal reasons, came within 10cm of connecting to the victim’s stomach during the fight outside the Puss in Boots pub.
The altercation started when the teenager along with Dylan Butler, 18, and James Moore, 18, got into a verbal argument with some men outside the Buxton Road venue as they walked past.
During the row Butler punched the complainant Andy Anderson before the 17-year-old pulled a sheath knife from a black bag and thrust it towards another of the men, the court heard.
Butler then took hold of the knife and the trio left the scene before being arrested by police.
At Macclesfield magistrates’ court, Butler, of Brynmore Drive, Macclesfield, admitted using threatening behaviour and possession of a knife; Moore, of Garden Street, Macclesfield, admitted using threatening behaviour and possession of cannabis; and the 17-year-old admitted using threatening behaviour, possession of a knife, and possession of both cocaine and MDMA.
Simon Pover, prosecuting, said the fight took place at 11pm one night earlier this year.
He said: “Andrew Anderson said he was punched to the face three times by Butler. Mr Armet, a friend of Mr Anderson, went out to see what had happened and saw the male try and punch Mr Anderson again. He then saw another male pull out a knife, described as six inches long, from a man bag and lunge towards him. It stopped 10cm before his stomach. He took a step back and his girlfriend pulled him away. After they were arrested Moore told police that some guy got in his face outside the pub.”
Rob Moussalli, defending the 17-year-old, said: “He produced the knife to deter the attack. He wasn’t planning to use it.”
Peter Casson, defending Butler, said: “He was walking ahead of [the others]and went back to help. He held the knife by his hip for a minute.”
Anne Ludlow, defending Moore, said: “He had a promising football career with Rochdale FC but had to stop through injury. He started using cannabis to cope. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Butler was sentenced to 60 hours unpaid work, Moore to a four month referral order and the 17-year-old a 12 month referral order.
