A man headed to a Maidstone school armed with a knife after a young girl was flashed.

Phil Hunt, of Egerton Road in Ringlestone, Maidstone, had been up all night drinking with a friend when he was told of the incident last month.

The 25-year-old roofer flew into a rage, confronting members of staff at the school and unleashing torrents of expletive-laden abuse.

He shouted: “When I get hold of that f****** nonce I’m going to smash his face in and cut him to pieces.”

Police officers were called and found the suspect sitting on a pavement nearby with a kitchen knife next to him.

An officer who approached him and kicked the knife away said he smelt strongly of alcohol.

Appearing at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court he admitted possessing a knife and threatening behaviour.

Fionagh Green, defending, said the defendant simply wanted to check the girl was alright.

When asked by a probation officer what he would have done if he had found the flasher Hunt said he just wanted to scare him and added he regretted his actions.

Magistrates said carrying a knife is an offence that carries a minimum sentence of three months custody.

However, taking into account mitigating circumstances, including Hunt’s early guilty plea, they sentenced him to three months in prison, suspended for 18 months.

He will also have to attend thinking skills sessions, carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and a 20-day rehabilitation requirement and pay £85 costs, an £80 victim surcharge and a £180 criminal courts charge.

The incident of exposure was one of several in the area which prompted schools to warn parents and students.

Last week a 16-year-old boy was arrested in relation to the offences and bailed until Thursday, November 26.