A DRUNKEN knifeman was at a hospital entrance shouting: “I’m going to slit someone’s throat,” a court was told.

Patients and staff said they could see and hear Aaron Dodds pacing up and down outside The University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton at 5am on Sunday, July 15.

When police arrived in the area, the 20-year-old dropped one of the kitchen knives, and the other was found in the back pocket of his jeans.

Duncan McReddie, mitigating, told Teesside Crown Court that Dodds had been drinking in the town centre before going home and then walking the five minutes to the hospital.

He told Judge Simon Bourne-Arton, QC: “He has no recollection as to why he went there.

“Aaron Dodds is free from conviction. This is an act absolutely out of character. He is extremely sorry.”

Dodds, of High Newham Road, Stockton, admitted having a bladed article, and was given a ten-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

The judge also imposed a three-month curfew between 7pm and 6am, and 30 days of rehabilitation activity.

Addressing Dodds, Judge Bourne-Arton said: “You will have been told that the courts take very seriously cases where people carry knives, particularly those who carry knives while in a state of drink – you fall into that category.”

“You are somebody who has a history of mental health issues.

“You have no previous convictions. You have no explanation as to why you committed this offence, and that is a concern of the court.”