A man has been jailed after he was caught carrying a Samurai sword through Jarrow .
Marc Brunton, 28, of Burleigh Steet, South Shields , was spotted armed with the weapon by an off-duty PCSO Bell on August 12.
After calling 999, PCSO Bell continued to monitor the man’s movements as he waited for firearms officers to arrive.
Armed officers descended on the Derby Street area of Jarrow after Brunton was seen entering a house in possession of the sword.
When they arrived, an unsteady Brunton stepped outside the address and repeatedly ignored officers’ instructions, encouraging police to “shoot him”.
Brunton was subsequently arrested by police and his Samurai sword was seized.
He was later charged with possessing an offensive weapon.
Brunton pleaded guilty to the offence at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court and was sentenced to 38 weeks in jail.
PCSO Bell's actions have been praised by inspector Denise Easdon, who said: "It would have been easy for PCSO Bell to ignore his instinct and not act on what he thought he saw.
"However, instead he pulled over his car and contacted police – and then followed the man’s movements as he continued to walk down the street with the weapon tucked inside his trousers.
"By giving a clear description of the offender and directing police to a property which he had later entered, PCSO Bell assisted in a swift arrest and ensured that nobody was injured.
“It fills me with pride to know that we have officers such as PCSO Bell who are willing to go above and beyond to keep the public safe.”
