A BARE-CHESTED man carrying a knife ran through Barrow town centre in a late-night chase with police, a court heard.

Cameron James Casson, 24, was charged with carrying a blade in a public place after took a kitchen knife from Marmaris Grill takeaway on Duke Street before heading onto Cavendish Street in the early hours of September 22.

He pleaded guilty to the offence when he appeared before the bench at South Cumbria Magistrates' Court.

Prosecutor Diane Jackson told the court: "He's gone into a takeaway appearing confused and agitated, where he was given a glass of water.

"He's then picked up a knife from the premises and left.

"Officers were called and saw the defendant with the knife.

"He was bare-chested and running through the area towards crowds of people."

He was said to have been chased by police on foot towards Dalton Road before dropping the knife outside the Preston Street Working Mens Club.

Police caught up with Casson and eventually arrested him on Portland Walk.

Defence solicitor Michael Graham agreed the offence was too serious to be sentenced at magistrates' court.

The court was told the defendant was on post-sentence supervision at the time for a previous offence.

Casson, of Town Head in Haverigg, is due to be sentenced at Preston Crown Court on February 21.

The defendant was told he could face at least six months in prison for carrying the knife and placed on unconditional bail.