A man grabbed two knives to confront weapon-wielding yobs who had turned up at his home, a court heard.

Theo Kibe armed himself with the blades from his kitchen and went outside after “trouble” erupted on his doorstep.

Medway magistrates were told there had been an altercation after a number of people arrived at Kibe’s house in Bingham Road, Strood, to pick up his girlfriend’s younger sister.

Police were called and Kibe was arrested, along with others involved in the melee.

The 23-year-old, of Bingham Road, was charged with one count of possessing the bladed articles in public and pleaded guilty when he appeared in court on September 24.

District Judge William Nelson heard the incident happened on September 22 but Kibe was, so far, the one person who had been charged.

Others who had been arrested had been bailed by the police while inquiries continue.

Debbie Jones, prosecuting, said: “There was an altercation with various individuals in the evening and this defendant went back into the property and got a large kitchen knife with a blade and large handle and then also a small knife and handed it to another (person), who is not in court.

“He made no comment during interview.”

Wayne Crowhurst, defending, told the court he wanted his client to undergo a pre-sentencing report by probation before he was sentenced as he had never offended before.

Mr Crowhurst added: “He’s like a fish out of water (in court) and has no previous convictions.

“The young sister of his girlfriend - they have taken care of her and have taken her in and it looks like she’s brought trouble to his doorstep.

“It was a moment of stupidity.”

The court heard Kibe usually worked 12 hours a day.

A probation officer said he might benefit from rehabilitation sessions which would help him with decision making.

The officer added: “Why didn’t he call the police? It was a difficult situation but he dealt with it in an unacceptable way and he’s now here (in court).”

Judge Nelson said Kibe had made a “terrible decision” that evening and that the starting point for such an offence was six months in jail.

He added: “I sentence you on the basis you had a knife on your person and you have no previous convictions and ordinarily you would not trouble the court.

“I can give you credit for your early guilty plea, so the starting point is four months and as you have no previous, that can also be reduced to three months and I will suspend that term for 12 months.”

He also ordered Kibe to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and attend a number of rehabilitation sessions with probation and ordered the knives be destroyed.

Judge Nelson warned him: “Be careful until next year or you could end up in prison.”