Bare-chested man verbally abused dog-walking neighbour before taking knife into Sunderland street

Aggressive John Errington, 51, of Trinity Square, in Sunderland city centre, stood at his door and swore at the man as he returned home with his pooch.

When he asked his former friend to come down from the flat above his own to discuss his anger, boozed-up Errington came armed.

He then went walkies himself into another street, but returned and headed straight towards his terrified victim, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard.

His actions made the neighbour fear for his safety and that of other witnesses alerted to the 4.20pm commotion on July 25 – and police were called.

Errington will be sentenced next month after his case was referred to Newcastle Crown Court.

Prosecutor Grace Taylor said: “They reside in Trinity Square and had been friends for four years, but they haven’t been for about 12 months after a disagreement.

“[The neighbour] was walking his dog when he heard raised voices from the defendant’s home.

“He said the defendant was standing at his patio doors and called him [an abusive name]. The defendant is on the top floor and [the neighbour] is on the ground.

“He called for Mr Errington to come down to see what the problem was.

“He came bare chested and had a knife and approached him saying, ‘Come on’. The defendant walked into James Williams Street and returned.

“The defendant walked straight towards him, still holding the knife.”

Ms Taylor added: “The knife had a black handle and a blade of about six to seven inches long.

“The whole incident lasted about five to seven minutes. The witness also noticed that the defendant appeared intoxicated.”

In a victim statement read to the court, the neighbour said: “I wish to state that I’m of ill health. I only went out to walk my dog.

“I feared that he may stab me with the knife if he came close.”

The court heard Errington, who pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to possession of a bladed article in public, has 19 previous convictions from 31 offences.

District Judge Kathryn Meek said Errington would be sentenced at the crown court on Friday, December 18.

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