A MAN who armed himself with two knives before going to the home of an acquaintance he thought had been spreading rumours about him is behind bars.

Two members of the public were so concerned at seeing Kevin Roberts getting into a car outside a supermarket with the large weapons before driving to the incident they called the police.

And while he was on bail for the offences, the 33-year-old, of Tippett Avenue, Blunsdon St Andrew, and formerly of Argyle Street, Gorse Hill, and Parklands Road, Old Walcot, was caught walking the streets with two more knives he had bought, one hidden up his jacket sleeve.

Now Roberts, who has a history of knife crime including having a samurai sword on two occasions, has been jailed by a judge at Swindon Crown Court.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, said a couple were at Somerfield, in Hyde Road, Kingsdown, on November 26 when they saw Roberts get into a car with two large knives.

They called the police to report what they had seen and soon after, residents of Euclid Street also reported a fracas on the road. Roberts had gone to a house on the town centre road and confronted a man who he later said had been spreading rumours about him.

Despite having the weapons he was disarmed by the householder and a pal who was working on his car and fled the scene.

A few weeks later on January 2, Roberts was abusive to a mother as she tried to push her pushchair past the open door of his car, which was blocking the pavement.

Mr Meeke said the woman was with her mum pushing her three-week-old child in a buggy in St Mary’s Grove, Pinehurst, when she came to the vehicle.

After politely asking if she could squeeze through they were met with a volley of vile abuse which was so threatening a passer by called the police.

The final incident took place in August last year when staff at The Range store in Fleming Way became concerned about his behaviour and called the police. Police found he had an eight inch bread knife which he had just bought, but when they searched him at the station they found a large chef’s knife in the lining to his denim jacket’s sleeve.

Roberts pleaded guilty to affray and having a bladed article.

He also admitted threatening behaviour and another count of possessing a bladed article.

The court heard he had four previous convictions for carrying knives, including two samurai sword offences.

Chris Smyth, defending, said his client had mental health problems which could not properly be treated unless he stopped drinking. He said Roberts, who used to have jobs with the local authority and Ofsted, was currently getting through six litres of cider a day.

Jailing him for two years and four months, Judge Euan Ambrose said: “These offences are so serious only a custodial sentence can be justified.

“Knife crime is a serious problem in society: it is only a short step to disaster. The fact that it coincided here with an affray makes it all the more serious.”