A man who brandished a gun and a knife at a shopping centre told a court he had the weapons for protection because he was being bullied.

Denzel Edwards has now been jailed after he decided he would go out in Chatham armed with a black BB gun and the four-inch blade after being robbed of £200.

The 20-year-old had taken the gun to the Pentagon Shopping Centre on Friday, October 13, but had been seen waving the kitchen knife about and carrying the black handgun and someone dialled 999.

When police arrived they found Edwards in a car park. He was searched and the weapons were found.

He was arrested and told officers during interview he had the items for protection.

Edwards, of Dock Road, Chatham, was charged with being in possession of a firearm and a knife.

He appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Monday, October 16 and admitted the offences.

Sidumiso Moyo, prosecuting, told District Judge William Nelson that Edwards was still on a suspended sentence after being found in possession of a knife earlier this year.

She said he had been given a 120-day jail term which had been suspended for 12 months in June after being convicted of the offence.

The prosecutor added: “Police received an emergency call to say there was a male in the car park in Chatham and the call was in relation to a black handgun.

“The officers saw the defendant at the rear of the car park and he was searched and a kitchen knife was also found. It had a four-inch blade and he told officers it was for protection.”

Samuel Sotunde, defending, told the judge Edwards had severe autism and had been picked on constantly by another man.

Mr Sotunde added: “He was recently robbed of £200 by the same male. He wasn’t going to use it. He waved it about (the knife). He apologises. He’s been very naive.”

Judge Nelson said because it was his second offence of possession of a bladed article, as well as having the imitation firearm, he had no alternative but to jail Edwards.

He was sentenced to 180 days in prison for the new offences.

The conviction also activated the suspended sentence of 120 days, so Edwards was jailed for a total of 300 days.

He will be eligible for release on licence halfway through his sentence.

Judge Nelson added: “You were waving it around (the knife) and you had the potential to use it if you had been stopped by this other person.

“You are a high risk and you committed these offences just four months into the tenure of your suspended sentence.”