A 32-YEAR-OLD Wall Heath man who produced a knife and threatened to go on a "killing spree" after being told he could not be admitted to a Dudley psychiatric unit has been locked up for five months.

But Judge Dean Kershaw told David Rushton the sentence would mean his immediate freedom because he had spent 11 weeks behind bars while being held on remand.

He told Rushton at Wolverhampton Crown Court: "I do not believe for a moment you were going to hurt anybody. I believe you did not know how to cope when things overtook you."

Rushton went to Bushey Fields Hospital and after being told he could not be admitted he became upset, pulled out the knife and also threatened to kill himself.

Staff at the hospital had the presence of mind to deal with the situation and Rushton, who had drug problems, was arrested by police officers called to the scene.

The judge said it was clear Rushton had gone to the hospital to resolve his accommodation issues and he "made things worse" when he realised he was not going to be helped by doctors.

"I am certain this is something you will not do again," the judge told Rushton, of High Street, Wall Heath; and he said while it was a frightening incident staff felt he was more of a danger to himself than to them.

Samantha Powis, defending, said Rushton, who admitted possessing the knife, had been overwrought; he felt he could not cope at the time and he needed help.