A MAN who waved a knife around following an argument over parking will be sentenced at the crown court.

On Thursday, Andrew John Ainsworth, of Town Street, Ulverston, pleaded guilty at South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court to possessing a knife in public without good reason or lawful authority.on 29 April 2021.

The court heard that Ainsworth, 47, had been involved in a confrontation on that day with another male on Soutergate, Ulverston.

Ainsworth, who has no previous convictions, was angered by the complainant’s parking on the road and after exchanging words, went into his home to pick up a kitchen knife before waving it about on the road.

Prosecutor Lee Dacre explained: “The circumstances are that this was an incident that took place on Soutergate in Ulverston.

“The complainant arrived at the address with his brother-in-law and parked outside his address.

“There was then an argument between the defendant and the complainant over the parking space.

“Following that initial confrontation, the defendant went into his home address, retrieved a kitchen knife went back outside and started waving it about at shoulder height.

“The police were contacted and the defendant was arrested.

“The defendant, in his interview admitted he was in possession of the knife.

“He said that the intention was to scare, not to threaten.”

However, magistrates heard that the complainant and nearby witnesses were left feeling scared by Ainsworth’s actions.

Defence solicitor Andy Gallagher explained that the incident was ‘out of character’ for Ainsworth, who was struggling after his mother’s passing.

Mr Gallagher told magistrates: “It is a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity.

“And as you have heard, the defendant has admitted immediately what he had done.

“He gave some background as so far in some explanation for his actions on this particular day.

“To say this is out of character is an understatement.

“I have a letter from the defendant which states: ‘What possessed me to go out with a knife to this day I still can’t explain why I did it. It is not in my nature. If it wasn’t for lockdown, this wouldn’t have happened.’

“In the last couple of years, in lockdown, the defendant lost his mother, who had moved to this area to be near him, and as a result of that lockdown he was left with no support.

“This incident was the culmination of the deterioration of his mental health.”

After hearing the case, magistrates decided to send it to the crown court for sentencing.

Chair of the bench Mr Ormondroyd said: “Having heard the details of the incident this morning, we believe that this matter goes beyond the sentencing powers of the magistrates’ court.”

Ainsworth will be sentenced at Preston Crown Court on 13 September 2021.