A DRUNK pulled out a knife after being confronted by the man he’d just verbally abused, then fled in circumstances likened to a scene in 1980s film Crocodile Dundee.

Catering firm boss Rafael Cardoso, 34, yelled a slur at a stranger in The Brunel shopping centre on July 25 last year, Swindon Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Rhianna Fricker said the man at whom the words were aimed followed Cardoso and confronted him.

Ms Fricker said: “He asked the defendant what he called him and why, at which point the defendant pulled out a lock knife from his right trouser pocket and waved it at the victim.”

As he brandished the knife, Cardoso told the man: “I’m going to cut you, I’m going to stab you.”

CCTV showed that the knifeman had not touched his victim, nor had the victim flinched or moved away from his attacker.

Cardoso’s lawyer, Rob Ross said the victim had indicated he was going to pull out something of his own at which point the knifeman got on his bike and rode off.

Mr Ross said the victim “almost did a Crocodile Dundee”, a reference to the 1986 action film in which the main character produces his own large hunting knife after being threatened by a blade-wielding robber.

Interviewed by police, Cardoso denied the offence. He said the item produced was not a knife but his keys.

But Cardoso, of Theobald Street, Swindon, pleaded guilty to making threats with a blade. He was in breach of a suspended sentence imposed at the magistrates’ court last year for causing actual bodily harm.

Mr Ross said his client struggled with addictions to alcohol and drugs. He had previously run his own catering business – now overseen by his sister – and had lost his relationship. “Until 18-months-ago he had a successful business, a successful home life and all that has been put in abeyance by his problems with alcohol and drugs."

Cardoso was complying with the probation service and motivated to tackle his issues with addiction. Mr Ross asked the judge to consider imposing another suspended sentence. His client would know “this would be the last chance saloon”.

Judge Jason Taylor QC imposed 15 months’ imprisonment suspended for two years. Cardoso must do 200 hours of unpaid work, a six month drug rehabilitation programme and 15 rehabilitation activity days. He was ordered to pay £530 prosecution costs.

The judge told Cardoso: “If you breach any part of this order or indeed commit any further offence you know what’s going to happen, don’t you? “If you’re subject you’re subject to two suspended sentence orders at the time of the breach then both of them will be activated.“The ball is entirely in your court. Deal with your drink and drugs or you’re going to end up in prison.”