A knife-wielding man in a wheelchair threatened to ‘wipe the homeless out’ before being confronted by police at Piccadilly station.

George Stringer, 49, told officers he was going to kill ‘all the homeless people in Manchester’ during the rant at Piccadilly Station on June 27.

Mr Stringer, who is homeless and suffers from a muscle wasting disease, said life was too hard on the streets and that he wanted to to be imprisoned.

He then pulled a six inch knife from his electric wheelchair.

Mr Stringer pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed object at Manchester Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Prosecuting, Tess Kenyon, said: “He told officers he was having trouble as he was homeless.

“He stated the homeless community were causing him issues and that he wanted to ‘wipe them out.’

“He then said: ‘I have a knife and I will kill all the homeless. They are animals.’

“Officers asked whether he was armed and he then produced a very large knife from his wheelchair which was at least six inches long.”

Police officers said Mr Stringer was ‘calm and compliant’ as he was arrested.

“There’s no suggestion this knife was used to threaten anyone,” said Ms Kenyon.

“But clearly there were comments made by the defendant that gave concern to the officers.”

Defending, Iain Johnstone, described Mr Stringer’s actions as ‘a cry for help’ because he had nowhere to charge his electric wheelchair.

Mr Johnstone said: “He wants to go to jail because he cannot cope on the outside.

“He has nowhere to charge his wheelchair. At the moment he is forced to go to places like McDonald’s or Starbucks to plug in.

“He’s homeless and very vulnerable, and has been robbed a number of times.

“This man needs help. It’s a question of who is going to give him help when he is released.”

Prior to the incident at Piccadilly Station, Mr Stringer claimed to have been ‘punched, spat on and covered in petrol’ by other homeless people because he was on the sex offenders’ register.

“He says there are other criminals in homeless hostels who make his life hell because he is on the sex offender’s register,” added Mr Johnstone.

Mr Stringer was jailed for six months for possession of a bladed article and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £115.