A NEWPORT man who answered the door to police with a kitchen knife in his hand has avoided an immediate custodial sentence.

Darren Munkley, aged 33, of Tewkesbury Walk, previously pleaded guilty to affray and possessing a class B drug at Newport Crown Court on January 16. He had been on remand for the offences.

Cardiff Crown Court heard earlier today how police had executed a warrant at Munkley’s address on August 27, 2014.

The warrant was led by PC Allen, who covered the spy hole so that his colleagues could not be seen by those inside the house.

He knocked on the door three times before it was finally answered by Munkley, who had a five-inch kitchen knife in his left hand.

PC Allen moved back and told Munkley to put down the knife. With the defendant stalling, he sprayed pepper spray in his eyes.

Munkley then put his hands to his face, with the knife still in his grasp, before officers jumped on him, knocking him to the ground in the process.

He was put under immediate arrest and upon officers searching the house, they found a quantity of cannabis which belonged to Munkley.

The court heard how Munkley had 22 previous convictions for 15 offences, including assaulting a police officer and possessing a knife.

Stuart McLeese, defending, highlighted the fact that Munkley was undertaking a NQV course in catering in an effort to turn his life around.

He said: “He’s had his difficulties, but reconciled with his parents last Christmas.

“He’s making good progress and has made strides in turning his life around.”

Summing up, Judge Tom Crowther QC said: “You couldn’t have known that it was the police at the door, but to have a knife in your hand is acutely dangerous.

“The possession of a knife is a very serious offence, but I accept that you are making real changes in your life.”

He handed down a six-month sentence for the affray charge, which will be suspended for two years. There will be a supervision requirement for 12 months and Munkley will have to attend a thinking skills programme in this period.

Judge Crowther also issued a 28-day concurrent sentence for the possession of cannabis charge, which will also be suspended for two years.