Christine CunninghamA judge has warned about the dangers of carrying knives in public after he jailed a Norwich man who brandished a knife in a churchyard.Christine Cunningham

A judge has warned about the dangers of carrying knives in public after he jailed a Norwich man who brandished a knife in a churchyard.

Andrew Savage, 28, produced a kitchen knife in the churchyard of St Nicholas Church, North Walsham, after he had a disagreement with one of a group which had gathered there, Norwich Crown Court heard yesterday.

Savage's partner, Sheree Finch, 20, also armed herself with a baseball bat, but this was thrown over the wall when police arrived after one of the group called for help.

Martin Ivory, prosecuting, said that the couple were both arrested.

Savage of Heigham Street, Norwich, admitted having a knife and Finch admitted threatening behaviour in November last year.

Jailing Savage for two months, Recorder Andrew Hurst told him: 'This was a serious offence. It is not open to anybody to arm themselves and go and try and take the law into their own hands.'

Recorder Hurst said the message had to go out to the public about the use of knives in public.

'Someone cannot get a knife out to settle their private differences.'

He gave Finch an 18-month conditional discharge and ordered her to pay �50 towards prosecution costs.

Giovanni D'Avola, for Savage said; 'No direct threats were made with the knife.'

He said that Savage had mental health issues and had difficulties with alcohol in the past, but had now sought help for his problems and moved to Norwich to get away from further trouble.

Philip Farr, for Finch, who is pregnant, said: 'Clearly this was a foolhardy course of conduct by both defendants.'

However, he said there had been some provocation and added: 'It was decided to take matters into their own hands.'

He said that Finch had taken a baseball bat in case her partner was attacked.