A man fascinated by Native American culture recited an incantation in a court room to prove his innocence.

Daryl Manners appeared at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court charged with possessing a knife and an arrow in public without reasonable excuse.

The 50-year-old, of Lancashire Road, Maidstone, denied the offences.

The court heard he was involved in a confrontation with a 16-year-old in October.

Witnesses said Manners, who was drunk, was trying to apologise for an earlier disagreement but tripped, and a knife fell from his pocket.

He picked up the blade, moved to a balcony and shouted: “I am going to get you all now, you are all done.”

The court heard he threw the knife into his flat and left to continue drinking at a friend’s nearby.

"I was putting the arrow to the sky. We put a lot of things to the sky; smoke, feathers, anything we want to be sacred" - Daryl Manners

Manners later called police and said he was assaulted by two people. He called a second time and threatened to stab the pair.

Manners told the court it was a drunk, throwaway comment spurred on by frustration at a lack of response to his earlier call.

Officers were dispatched to the scene, but while en route Manners was seen standing on a balcony, with a Native American arrow raised above his head.

He said he was discussing the best way to kill a buffalo with his neighbour and went to retrieve the arrow to demonstrate.

He told the court he stopped on the balcony to say a prayer.

He said: “I was putting the arrow to the sky. We put a lot of things to the sky; smoke, feathers, anything we want to be sacred."

Manners recited a prayer, in what appeared to be a Native American language, for the court.

The court heard Manners has been enthralled with Native American culture ever since being introduced to it.

He told magistrates he began collecting artefacts and memorabilia, which he stores in his flat, and often wears full regalia including a feathered head piece, body work, beaded trousers and brooch, totalling around £1,500.

He also owns an authentic bow and arrow set and attends Native American powwows - gatherings of individuals who join in dancing, singing and cultural prayers.

He told the court: “I never denied having the arrow in my possession. It is part of my regalia, same as my bow, same as my feathers, same as my chest wear.”

During the full-day trial he claimed the witnesses corroborated against him, and labelled their claims about a knife farcical.

Russell Morling, defending, said it was a mobile phone which fell out of Manners’ pocket, but magistrates found him guilty of possessing a blade.

The bench found he had reasonable excuse to have the arrow, and he was acquitted on the second charge.

Sentencing was adjourned until Thursday, February 18, at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court to allow for a mental health assessment.

Manners has been evicted from his property in Inverness House due to a separate civil matter.