'I cannot remember a time when I was so in fear of personal safety'

MACHETE MISSED POLICE OFFICER'S ARM BY INCHES

- By GAVIN HAVERY

A DRUG addict who swung a machete at a man outside a Teesside nightspot has been jailed.

Anthony Gent also lashed out at the police officer who came to arrest him for the incident near a bar in Redcar.

The 33-year-old then racially abused another officer as he was being taken to the police station.

Saba Shan, prosecuting at Teesside Crown Court on Tuesday, said Gent attacked the man after getting out of a taxi near the venue in Queen Street late on February 15.

She said: “He has approached him and punched him in the face.

“Both men adopt fighting stances before the victim has backed away to the micropub.

“The defendant has followed him and he has taken out a knife, which he has then thrown under a stationary vehicle.”

Ms Shan said Gent punched him again before he was pushed away.

She said: “The defendant has then pulled out a machete and ran after the victim with the weapon.

“He has swung at the left side of his body, causing a rip in his jacket.”