A KNIFE-WIELDING kitchen porter from Bowness avoided jail by a ‘hair’s breadth’, a court heard.

Konrad Piwel Piotrowski, of Church Street, pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive and insulting words or behaviour towards police and was given a suspended sentence by South Lakeland Magistrates.

Lisa Hine, prosecuting, said that in the early hours of May 29 police received a call regarding a man in Bowness who was heard saying ‘I have a knife and I’m going to kill you’.

The court heard officers had to use a taser to restrain 35-year-old Piotrowski, who works at The Albert Hotel in Bowness, after arriving to find him ‘bare chested and at the ready’ with a large carving knife in his hand.

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Ms Hine said that interviewed by police later he had no recollection of the incident as he had consumed a litre of vodka – though that was not an ‘especially large amount’ for him.

In mitigation Suzie Kavanagh said alcohol had been a problem for the defendant over a number of years and had caused problems for him more recently when his girlfriend left him with his child Appearing for sentence, Piotrowski was given 18 weeks jail suspended for a year.

Chairman of the bench Peter Benning said: “You were a hair’s breadth from going to prison today. You have been given a chance and it’s up to you to make the best of it.”

Piotrowski was also given a community supervision order, must complete and alcohol awareness course and was ordered to pay £85 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.