A MAN has been put behind bars for months for “waving” a knife around in Bournemouth town centre.

Jordao Frietas was charged in relation to the incident in Commercial Road near the Square on November 10.

Frietas, aged 56 and of no fixed abode, was alleged to have had an 8.5 centimetre knife.

Appearing in the dock at Poole Magistrates’ Court on November 25, the defendant pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article in a public place and commission of a further offence during the operational period of a suspended sentence for an offence of arson.

The offender was committed to prison for 26 weeks for the knife offence, which was his second offence of this nature.

Court papers stated it was serious because it involved “waving a knife around in a public place”.

Frietas was committed to prison for an additional 12 weeks in relation to the breach of the suspended sentence order, making a total sentence of 38 weeks.

The court also ordered the defendant pay a £187 surcharge and £85 costs.