A FATHER of two has been jailed after flashing a knife at security men outside a St Helens nightspot.

A court heard how Reece Nguty had been thrown out of Bar 44 on Westfield Street but returned an hour later carrying a carving knife which he brandished at bouncers outside the popular nightclub.

At Liverpool Crown Court, Paul Blasbery, prosecuting, said Nguty, 24, was ejected from the club at around 3am in the early hours of October 24 this year.

He made threats to the door staff that he would come back and attack them but left the scene in a taxi soon afterwards.

CCTV shown to the court later captured Nguty outside the club's entrance at 4.23am where he could be seen arguing with door staff when a large carving knife fell from his jacket pocket.

Nguty picked it up and held it at waist height before the door staff managed to prise it from his hand before he walked away.

The police were called and officers found Nguty nearby and arrested him.

Mr Blasbery added that Nguty, of Hayfield Close, Manchester, had one previous conviction for a driving offence.

David Morton, defending, said Nguty had previously worked in mental health care but was now assistant manager of a bookmakers.

Mr Morton said: "At the time of the incident he (Nguty) was struggling to cope with the sudden passing of his mother and was uncharacteristically intoxicated that night.

"He has resolved to desist from taking any further alcohol and that has been his position since this incident which quite frankly shocked him.

"He is disgusted with himself - his thinking is distorted and he needs help to assist that."

Sentencing Nguty, who pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article, to nine months in prison, Judge David Potter, said: "You are right to be shocked by your behaviour on this occasion because the possession of a fearsome weapon in a public place is a serious offence."