A judge has warned a man that he could be jailed for taking an axe onto a street in Newark.
Tommy Allen, 24, pleaded guilty to having an offensive weapon on Churchill Drive in the town on June 11.
A probation report was ordered on Allen of Devon Road, Newark who appeared at Nottingham Magistrates' Court. His bail will continue but he must return to court on November 26.
District Judge Tim Spruce told him: "The problem in this country with weapons is huge.
"The courts starting point will always be a custodial sentence, in particular when the weapon is brandished in the way described in the papers I have read.
"In your case, there is a previous matter for having a bladed article, although I accept that was some years ago."
He said that courts had to consider a six-month prison sentence, although it might not be imposed in this case.
The judge told him: "You need to bear this in mind as you prepare for the next hearing."
He said that probation officers would need to see Allen to prepare a report an added: "Do you understand?"
Allen replied: "I understand."
