BRADFORD’S top judge warned that people who brandish knives will go straight to prison when he jailed a today man for threatening to “cut up” clubgoers in the city centre.

Mark Newall, 44, of Priestley Hill, Queensbury, was locked up for six months at Bradford Crown Court for affray and possession of a bladed article outside Candy Nightclub and Bar, in Sackville Street.

Newall pleaded guilty to the offences that took place at 2.15am on March 29.

Prosecutor Duncan Ritchie said Newall attended the club with his girlfriend but went back to his car and returned to the yard outside the club with a large kitchen knife.

He told one man: “You made a mistake buying my missus a drink”, and warned a group: “I’ll cut you all up.”

One man fled up the street, pursued by Newall, who then returned to the yard with the knife and brandished it, before driving off.

Newall’s barrister, Nigel Jamieson, said his client’s last conviction was for a public order offence six years ago.

He voluntarily attended the police station after he was traced through his car registration number.

Newall had ongoing health problems, with impaired mobility. The offences were out of character and he claimed to have been previously assaulted by the man he chased away.

The Recorder of Bradford, Judge Roger Thomas QC, said Newall was angry that night after falling out with his girlfriend and returned to the yard with a large kitchen knife.

“The message has to go out to people that if they choose to arm themselves with a knife in dangerous circumstances such as these, to prison they must go,” the judge said.