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A man who brandished a knife in a shop and told staff "I have come to report a murder I have done" has been spared jail.

Tony Simmonds, 45, who had previously been sectioned at Ablett Psychiatric Unit at Glan Clwyd Hospital in Bodelwyddan, admitted possessing a knife when he appeared at Mold Crown Court last month.

Sentence was adjourned until today to allow reports to be arranged by the defence.

Judge Niclas Parry handed him a four month sentence that was suspended for 12 months, and ordered him to attend an alcohol treatment program.

He said people who carry knives in public can expect to receive prison sentences, but decided in this case, due to Simmonds' vulnerability, he would be better receiving help than a jail term.

An earlier hearing on April 11 heard how at Simmonds claimed a murder had happened on Pensarn Beach and he pulled a knife from his rucksack to show the two Premier store workers.

Simmonds became emotional and then stated: ”I’m going to go now,” prosecutor James Neary said.

Police were then alerted.

The defendant claimed he had been drinking and could remember little about what had happened during the incident in Marine Road, Pensarn, on December 29.