A man who was Tasered by police after intimidating a passer-by whilst holding a kitchen knife could be deported after serving a prison sentence.
Joao Pinton approached a man in a Gateshead street on December 15 2022 and told him to "get on the floor". After the passer-by noticed Pinton was clutching a large kitchen knife, he simply walked away. Later that day, police arrested the 42-year-old Pinton after Tasering him in a block of flats.
On Thursday, Pinton, of no fixed address, appeared at Durham Crown Court via link from HMP Durham to be sentenced for possession of a bladed article in a public place. He had pleaded guilty to the offence.
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The court heard that at around 5.15pm a man was walking along Windmill Way in Gateshead listening to a podcast when he noticed Pinton approaching with a knife which had the blade "pointing down".
Omar Ahmad, prosecuting, said: "The defendant said 'get on the floor', the man did not understand and after seeing the knife he walked away. At no point did the defendant point the knife."
Mr Ahmad added: "The defendant was arrested at a block of flats and was Tasered by police after being seen on a flight of stairs." In a victim statement, the man said he was left "confused and shocked" by the incident and was glad he got away uninjured.
The court heard Pinton had 21 previous convictions for 41 offences, and had received a prison sentence of over five years in 2019 after being involved in the robbery of a taxi driver.
Rachel Hedworth, defending, said Pinton had a background of mental health issues and an "extremely traumatic childhood" after growing up in Angola during a civil war and witnessing a "soldier being burned to death". She said that Pinton hears voices in his head and has "complete and utter remorse for his offending".
Judge James Adkin jailed Pinton for 16 months and said he faces the possibility of deportation following his sentence.
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