A DRUNKEN man who waved a knife and shouted at passers-by has been sent to a young offenders' institution for eight months.

Aylesbury Crown Court heard on Monday how an off-duty police officer had been one of the motorists driving past the ranting young man in Hazlemere.

Craig Birch, 20, of Lester Grove, Hazlemere, appeared in court and pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in a public place.

Laura Steele, prosecuting, said that on May 7 members of the public and the off-duty policeman saw Birch walking in front of vehicles on the A404, shouting and holding up the 13-inch flick knife.

She said Birch joined two other youths in Penn Road, Hazlemere, and got into a Ford Escort which was followed and stopped by police and, after a struggle, Birch was arrested.

Birch made full admissions and said he was drunk. The court was told that he had convictions for violence.

His barrister John Riley said in mitigation that Birch had taken the knife out to show friends but had gone drinking and although he had waved the weapon he had no intention to cause injury.

He added that Birch wanted help to overcome his drink problem which was the main cause for his offending.

Birch had been committed for sentence by Wycombe magistrates on May 5 for possessing an offensive weapon and an offence of vehicle interference involving a Vauxhall Corsa at Hazlemere in January, both of which he admitted.

Judge David Morton Jack, passing sentence, told Birch: "If the now nearly 18 month old offence of vehicle interference stood alone then no doubt you would not be in danger of going away to custody.

"But the offence on May 7 this year is another matter entirely. You deliberately armed yourself with this hideous flick knife which you stole away from your mother's custody and you proceeded to frighten members of the public.

"You were drunk. Had a confrontation arisen who knows what would have happened. It is a terrible thought."

For having an offensive weapon, Birch was given eight months detention concurrent with seven days for interfering with a vehicle.